Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid

Here’s how a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection is typically performed:

1. 1. Preparation: Before the procedure, the patient may be asked to change into a hospital gown and lie face down on an examination table. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels may be monitored throughout the procedure.

   2. Sterilization: The skin over the targeted area is cleaned and sterilized with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.

   3. Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is administered to numb the skin and tissues around the injection site. This helps reduce discomfort during the procedure.

   4. Fluoroscopic Guidance: Using fluoroscopic guidance (live X-ray imaging), the healthcare provider inserts a thin needle into the epidural space in the lumbar spine. The needle is inserted through the intervertebral foramen, which is the opening between adjacent vertebrae through which spinal nerves exit the spinal canal.

   5. Injection: Once the needle is correctly positioned, a mixture of corticosteroid medication (such as triamcinolone or methylprednisolone) and a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) is injected into the epidural space. The corticosteroid helps reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting pain relief, while the local anesthetic provides immediate pain relief.

   6. Assessment: After the injection, the patient is typically monitored for a short period to evaluate the response. Some patients may experience immediate pain relief due to the effects of the local anesthetic, while the full effects of the corticosteroid may take several days to develop.