Epidural

An Epidural is a common procedure used to treat back, arm or leg pain. Using CT Guidance, a needle is placed into the Epidural space in your spine and a mix of local anaesthetic and cortisone is injected.

Depending on where your pain is/the type of pain you are experiencing will determine the type of Epidural the Radiologist will perform:

  • Interlaminar Epidural: Used to treat lower back pain, usually at a specific level.

  • Caudal Epidural: Used to treat back pain or sciatica and can target multiple levels.

  • Transforaminal Epidural: Like a Nerve Root/Nerve Sheath injection, the medication is delivered to a specific nerve.

The procedure will take approximately 30 minutes and is performed in clinic. You should be able to return home immediately following your appointment; however, we recommend bringing a support person to drive you home.

Patients taking Blood Thinning medication must let our team know prior to their procedure, as they may be asked to cease for a few days before their procedure to minimise the risk of deep tissue bleeding.

This procedure should not be painful, but you may experience some discomfort. Local anaesthetic is used to ensure the most comfortable experience we can provide.

Following the procedure, you may experience some numbness, heaviness, weakness or feel ‘cold’. This is due to the local anaesthetic coming into contact multiple spinal nerves through the Epidural space. This should pass within 20-40 minutes.

You should not drive for the remainder of the day and should not perform any strenuous activity for 3-5 days following the procedure. This includes heavy lifting or extreme exercise.

Although this is considered a safe procedure and minimally invasive procedure, any injection comes with a small risk of:

  • Discomfort at injection site

  • Bleeding

  • Injection over injection site

  • Allergic reaction to medication

  • Nerve trauma (very rare)

  • Dural Puncture (very rare)

Contact your GP immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Fever, chills or generally unwell in the days following the injection

  • Redness, pain or swelling at the injection site

  • A significant increase of pain in the area following the injection

X-ray image of a spinal vertebrae with two femur bones and a medical instrument or needle.

CT Guided Cadual Epidural