Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Experience

Ready to go! Slightly nervous!

So because I haven’t had any range of motion in my neck for the past 7 and a half months due to my car accident, my chiropractor and PCP thought that cervical epidural steroid injections were the next possible step in my journey. Their thought was that if there was inflammation still in my joints that it would reduce that, as well as help thin the muscle so I could move it again. So I went to see a pain management doctor, even though I don’t have any pain right now. He suggested we give it a try, so I underwent two rounds of injections. Several people I know, including family members have had these done so they kind of told me what to expect.

After getting all checked in the Same Day Surgery area, they take you back to get your vitals, and in your gown. Then you just wait your turn to go into the OR.  The nurse comes in to get you and you walk back to the OR. You lie face down on the table, and they hook up the blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter. This is the point that I told the doctor to “numb me so I don’t feel a thing!” At which point he told me “we’re all out of Lidocane.” Haha. Very funny. He was obviously joking, but it did help ease my nerves. Once you are on the table and hooked up, they rub you with iodine. Then came the Lidocane, which felt just like a little pinch. The whole procedure is done with a live x-ray called a fluoroscopy machine. This is so doctor can see exactly where the needle is being positioned. (Thank God!)

After the Lidocane has had a minute to take effect, the doctor inserts a epidural needle into wherever he feels is the best spot. This is usually based off the MRI. Then he injects contrast dye to make sure it is in the right area. Next, the steroid is injected. The first time, I didn’t know what to expect and my arms went cold and tingled. Dummy me said that they felt numb, and the sweet nurse said “you can still move them right?” I moved them, and said “oh yeah.” Poor choice of words there, Mandii. #facepalm The second time I knew what to expect. Haha! Then the needle is removed!

Then they put a bandage on you and you walk back to the recovery area where they take your vitals again, you change, and you are sent home with your instructions. The whole OR experience took maybe 10 minutes. I think the second time I was in and out within 45 minutes.

Procedure calories don't count!

If you aren't squeamish, and are interested in things like this, here is a YouTube video I found of the procedure.

They don’t want you to do anything strenuous, so I just laid low. I put ice on every 20 minutes, and drank caffeine to prevent the side effect headaches. This last round, I was more sore because the doctor had to move the epidural needle around so I was definitely more tender.

So the big question, did it work? Yes and no. I was having a lot of clavicle pain, and it helped that tremendously. My chiropractor said that my neck moved really well when I went to see her after my shot. Can I move my head now? That’d be a no. As usual, I’ll keep you updated on what my next step is!