Patients who experience lower extremity pain may benefit from a caudal steroid injection. Specific spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, sciatica, and herniated discs can cause the lower extremities to become inflamed or cause pain.
Caudal epidural steroid injections may be performed at a number of surgery center locations. Prior to the surgery center visit, the patient will be instructed to abide by the “Pre-Procedure Instructions.” These instructions can be found in the “Injections” tab.
After the patient has changed into a gown and been prepped for the procedure by the nurses, the patient will be taken to the operating room. If elected, anesthesia will be administered by a licensed professional. A local anesthetic is then used to numb the tissue and skin surrounding the exterior of the sacral hiatus. Using fluoroscopy, the physician localizes a tiny slit or opening at the foundation of the sacral hiatus. Following the path where anesthetic was inserted, the physician carefully slides the needle in one to two centimeters deep. At this point a non-allergenic iodine (“contrast”) is placed inside the sacral hiatus space, which illuminates the diseased and/or tender areas. The indicated areas help the physician know where to inject the therapeutic combination of steroid and anesthetic. Once the area is infused with the medication, the physician removes the needle and places a bandage over the small needle hole. Some patients require multiple injections before they feel substantial relief of pain. Injection treatment plans are determined on an individual basis, as all patient circumstances differ.