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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Where Should An Epidural Injection Be Administered?

I have had an MRI on my back and have a deteriorated disk between the L5 and S1 and am having problems with siatica. I have gotten my first epideral injection but it was administered at the S5. Shouldn t this have been given at the site of my problem instead?
Wed, 14 Jan 2015
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I read your question and I understand your concern.

Yes, what you say is correct, if you were told the cause of the pain is compression of nerve root by a herniated disc, the epidural injection is done at the site of disc herniation where the inflammation which we aim to reduce is situated.
I believe there must have been an error in the report or something like that because S5 is not a likely site. Even had there been an error it should have been injecting in another disc level, say at l4-l5, while there are no discs from S1 downwards. So perhaps just a typing error.

I hope to have been of help.
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Where Should An Epidural Injection Be Administered?

I read your question and I understand your concern. Yes, what you say is correct, if you were told the cause of the pain is compression of nerve root by a herniated disc, the epidural injection is done at the site of disc herniation where the inflammation which we aim to reduce is situated. I believe there must have been an error in the report or something like that because S5 is not a likely site. Even had there been an error it should have been injecting in another disc level, say at l4-l5, while there are no discs from S1 downwards. So perhaps just a typing error. I hope to have been of help.