Sciatica Relief in Oklahoma: How Lumbar Epidural Injections Ease Back Pain
Back pain is one of the main reasons people in Oklahoma City, Yukon, and Norman see a doctor. Sometimes the pain comes on fast, while other times it starts slowly and gets worse. You might be dealing with more than a muscle strain if you feel pain that goes from your lower back down your leg. This could be sciatica.
Our Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers could be the relief patients are looking for in pain management. One of the best ways to treat sciatica and radiculopathy is a lumbar epidural steroid injection.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of nerve pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in your body. It starts in the lower back and travels down through the hips, buttocks, and into each leg.
The cause: Sciatica is technically a symptom of another issue rather than a diagnosis itself.
The diagnosis: Most cases are due to lumbar radiculopathy. This means there is inflammation or compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back.
The sensation: You can feel pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness along the path of the nerve when it is pinched.
It is worth seeing a pain management doctor in Oklahoma City to diagnose and treat nerve-based issues if you feel this type of radiating back pain.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica can feel different for each person. Common signs and symptoms of Sciatica include sharp, shooting pain radiating from the lower back down through the hips, buttocks, and along the path of the sciatic nerve into the leg, often below the knee. Patients frequently experience tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and a pricking or burning sensation in the affected leg.
Here is what patients report:
Pain: Pain in one leg that gets worse when you sit.
Sensation: A tingling or numb feeling in your leg or foot.
Function: A weak leg or trouble moving it.
Location: Low back pain or tightness.
Sometimes the pain stays all the time. Other times, it comes and goes when you move or sit a certain way. It is time to get help if your pain lasts more than a few days or makes daily life hard.
What Causes Sciatica and Radiculopathy?
Sciatica and radiculopathy are primarily caused by compression or irritation of spinal nerve roots, most commonly due to intervertebral disc diseases or trauma. Identifying the structural cause is the first step toward relief.
Herniated discs: The soft part between bones in your back bulges out or breaks.
Degenerative disc disease: Your back wears out as you get older.
Spinal stenosis: The space in your spine gets too tight.
Spondylolisthesis: One vertebra slips over another.
Trauma: Falls or car crashes can hurt your back.
Arthritis: Bone growth from arthritis can press on nerves.
You may have a back problem that bothers your sciatic nerve if you hurt your back in a fall or crash. Our team at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers helps people find what is causing their pain and feel better.
How Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections Help
A lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a simple treatment that puts medicine right into the space around your spinal nerves. The shot helps calm swelling and lowers pain because it works right at the sore spot.
Steroid: This helps bring down swelling around the nerve.
Anesthetic: A numbing medicine gives quick pain relief.
Targeting: The shot goes straight to the sore area to help you feel better faster than pills or creams.
An epidural does not fix the root cause. However, it gives you pain relief so your body has time to heal. It also makes doing stretches or physical therapy easier.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The injection is done at a clinic or a small surgery center. The whole thing takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
Positioning: You lie face down on a table.
Imaging: The doctor uses a special X-ray to see where to put the needle.
Numbing: The doctor numbs your skin so you do not feel pain.
Injection: A thin needle goes into the epidural space, and the medicine is put in.
Most folks can go home the same day. You will need someone to drive you because your leg might feel weak or tingly for a few hours.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You might benefit from a lumbar epidural if you have back pain that travels down your leg. It is often the next step when conservative care has stalled.
History: You have tried rest, medications, or physical therapy without relief.
Evidence: Imaging, like an MRI, shows nerve root compression.
Impact: Your pain keeps you from doing everyday tasks.
Your pain doctor near you will help determine if this treatment is right based on your symptoms and history. Our specialists in Oklahoma City, Yukon, and Norman use advanced diagnostics to personalize your care.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Sciatica and radiculopathy can be painful and really slow you down. A lumbar epidural shot might be just what you need to get back to doing what you love.
You do not have to live with chronic pain. You can contact Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers today to find a trusted pain doctor near you who can help you finally get past the pain.
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A. Most people get good short-term pain relief, lasting weeks or even months. Some may need more than one injection for lasting relief.
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A. Some people feel relief right away from the numbing medicine, but the steroid usually takes 2–7 days to reduce pain and swelling.
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A. Yes, they are safe when done by an experienced pain specialist. Risks like infection or bleeding are rare.
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A. Doctors often limit these to 3–4 injections per year to avoid side effects and make sure the body heals naturally.
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A. Most patients feel only mild pressure or a pinch. The area is numbed first, so discomfort is usually very minimal.
