Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural injection

A transforaminal epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure that is very helpful in a numerous condition of back pain and lower back pain. This injection procedure utilizes a steroid-anesthetic medication that helps reduce the swelling and inflammation of irritated spinal nerve roots. The goal of this procedure is to alleviate the pain experienced by the patient on the lower back and pain radiating from the lumbar area going to the legs. The procedure only takes a number of minutes to finish.


To prepare for the treatment, the patient assumes a prone position; face down with a pillow positioned under the 

abdomen to lift the sacrum.  This position bends the spine in a way that exposes the gap on the side of the spine, these gaps are called foramina.

Anesthetic Injected

As the patient lies down on their stomach while getting ready for the procedure, a medication to relax the nerve is given while the skin and tissue of the back is desensitized using a local anesthetic.

Needle Inserted

When the target region has been desensitized, the doctor skillfully slides a needle towards the foraminal area that encompasses the affected nerve root.

Contrast Solution Injected

The physician utilizes a fluoroscope (a small x-ray device)  and a contrast solution to validate the exact location of the needle.  Once the tip of the needle is validated to be in the correct position, the medication will then be administered.

Medication Injected

Following the careful validation of the needles exact position, the doctor positions a steroid-anesthetic medication.  This prescription bathes the inflamed nerve roots which will help ease the pain being experienced by the patient. These procedure also manages and reduce the pain and inflammation of the nerves.  Other benefits can be derived from this procedure depending on your condition.

End of Procedure

After the procedure is finished, the doctor pulls the previously inserted needle and dresses the injection area.  The patient experiences a notable amount of physical comfort after one injection.  However, this may not be the case for other patients. Others may require multiple injections before they experience any form of relief from the medication.