Were you aware that chronic pain, which lasts for more than three months, affects 50.2 million U.S. adults? That’s about one in every five adults!
Lower back pain and sciatica, in turn, are among the most common forms of chronic pain. They can cause discomfort severe enough to debilitate affected individuals.
Fortunately, epidural injections may provide pain relief for such conditions. The question is, how effective are they?
This guide looks at epidural injection success rates, so read on.
Success Rate for Radicular Pain
Epidural injections can be effective for radicular pain caused by disk herniation.
Radicular pain, in turn, is pain radiating from the back and hip to the legs via the spine. An example is sciatica pain, which can be due to a herniated disc compressing the sciatic nerve.
One analysis of multiple studies looked into epidural injection success rates for sciatica. The researchers reported varying improvement rates, ranging from 31% to 83%.
Radicular pain can also result from foraminal stenosis, wherein the spine’s foramen narrows. The foramen are the tiny openings between the bones that make up the spine. Thus, the nerve roots that pass through them can become pinched when they close in.
Lumbar epidural injections can also help with radicular pain caused by foraminal stenosis. A study reported a success rate of 87% in patients with mild to moderate cases. Moreover, the same study noted a 42% improvement in those with severe stenosis.
Success Rate for Axial Lower Back Pain
Also known as mechanical pain, axial pain is pain confined to a single spot or specific region. It most commonly occurs in the lower back and can feel like a sharp or dull pain. The pain can be constant or intermittent, and it can also range from mild to severe.
Epidural injections can also be an effective axial lower back pain treatment. One study looked at their effects on patients with axial low back pain. Up to 68% reported more than a 50% improvement in discomfort and functional outcome after a year.
Are Epidural Injections Safe?
Lumbar epidural injections are generally safe, but they can also have side effects. While rare, these adverse reactions include low blood pressure, severe headache, and infections. Moreover, accidental damage to a nerve in the treatment site can lead to bleeding.
Because of those side effects, it’s imperative to choose only a highly-qualified doctor.
Also, as you look up “pain management specialist near me” online, opt for one specializing in other treatments. That way, you have options if it turns out you’re not a good candidate for epidural injections. Some viable pain treatment alternatives include PRP therapy or stem cell therapy.
Find Pain Relief With Epidural Injections
And there you have it, the most crucial facts you need to know about the success rate of epidural injections. As you’ve learned, they work best for radicular pain due to disk herniation and stenosis. However, they may also benefit some patients with axial low back pain.
So, if you suffer from any of those conditions, consider getting epidural injections.
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