Epidurals — They're Not Just for Labor and Delivery

When you hear the term “epidural," you may immediately think of labor and delivery. While epidurals are widely known for providing pain relief during childbirth, their use extends far beyond the delivery room. 

The team here at Pain Management Specialists in Rockville and Frederick, Maryland, offers a range of effective solutions to manage your pain, and epidural steroid injections are among them. Epidural injections are a versatile and effective method for managing various types of pain, especially pain related to spinal conditions, nerve injuries, surgery, and cancer. 

Keep reading to learn more!

Pain management for spinal conditions

Epidural steroid injections are frequently used to relieve pain caused by spinal conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. These conditions can cause severe back and leg pain, significantly impacting daily activities. 

An epidural injection delivers a combination of a corticosteroid and an anesthetic directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord. 

This approach delivers the pain medication rapidly, helping to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Epidural injections can provide relief that can last for weeks or even months. For patients struggling with chronic spinal pain, epidurals can be a game-changer, offering a non-surgical option to manage discomfort and improve mobility.

Relief from nerve pain

Neuropathy (nerve pain) can result from various causes, including injuries, diabetes, or other medical conditions. This type of pain is often described as sharp, burning, or tingling and can be challenging to treat with conventional painkillers. 

Epidurals can provide relief by targeting the inflamed or irritated nerves directly. By reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals, epidural injections can relieve nerve pain and enhance your ability to function daily.

Post-surgical pain control

Recovering from surgery can be a painful and lengthy journey. Epidurals offer an effective solution for managing post-operative pain, especially for major surgeries involving the spine, abdomen, or lower extremities. 

By providing continuous pain relief, epidurals allow you to engage in physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises more comfortably, promoting faster recovery and reducing the risk of complications. 

Pain management in cancer patients

Managing pain from cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation are crucial for maintaining the patient's quality of life and overall well-being. 

Epidurals can play a vital role in cancer pain management by providing targeted relief for pain that is localized or widespread. This approach can be particularly effective for patients experiencing severe pain that doesn’t respond well to oral medications. 

Personalized pain management

Epidural injections have the key advantage of being able to be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Our team can make adjustments based on the patient's condition, pain severity, and response to treatment. 

We use a personalized approach so that each patient receives optimal pain relief. Additionally, we can administer epidurals as a single injection or as a series of treatments, depending on your needs and the underlying cause of the pain.

If you're dealing with chronic pain, consult with us at Pain Management Specialists. We will work together to find an effective solution so that you can enjoy your life more! Give us a call today.