Epidural Steroid Injection

How to Treat Herniated Disc in Neck: Epidural Steroid Injection

Patients often want to know how to treat a herniated disc in the neck without surgery. Treatment of a cervical herniated disc may involve receiving an epidural steroid injection. This is a non-surgical procedure that may reduce the symptoms of arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Dr. Seth Neubardt, cervical spine specialist, discusses the epidural steroid injection with details of the procedure as well as risks and benefits. The pros and cons of getting a cervical epidural steroid shot are reviewed. What happens when you receive the epidural, it’s safety, a video of a patient getting the injection as well as an answer to the question “Is this the best treatment for a herniated disc?” are discussed. A epidural steroid injection is probably the most invasive non-surgical treatment a patient can receive to treat the herniated disc. It is frequently very effective in relieving the acute pain but usually only lasts for a few days or weeks. It is not a definitive cure for the herniated disc in the neck. There are risks with such an injection, with a very rare but real chance of paralysis. The epidural should only be done by a specialist who is using an x-ray machine for guidance in placement of the needle and the medication.