A Transforaminal Lumbar Epidural is a 5-10 minute process. The treatment can involve a minor amount of pain; however, in most cases, we numb the area surrounding the injection first before the treatment to reduce the pain. We inject a mixture of a long-acting steroid, saline, and local anesthetic into the lumbar region of the spine where a nerve root exits. A small sleeve of the epidural space extends out over the nerve root for a short distance. This epidural root sleeve is just outside the spinal canal.
Transforaminal lumbar epidurals are known as root sleeve blocks, root blocks, or transforaminal epidural blocks. These epidural injections aim to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the spinal nerve root and other tissues surrounding it. These injections can help reduce pain, tingling, numbness, inflammation, irritation, and swelling in the lumbar and surrounding areas
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