Home Epidural Spine Injection
An epidural injection helps treat low back symptoms related to canal narrowing or nerve compression from a disc herniation or degenerative disease. Using X-ray guidance, we inject an anesthetic and steroid around nerves into the spinal canal (interlaminar) to help relieve symptoms.
We also perform cervical epidural (trans-facet) injections where local anesthetic and a steroid are injected into a facet joint in the neck. The joint capsule is completely filled in order to push the medication out of the joint and into the adjacent pinched nerve. Cervical epidurals can be used as a treatment to relieve neck pain and referred symptoms into the arm.
Relief may occur within two weeks and can last 3-6 months, or longer. Often MRI is requested prior to this treatment to confirm the diagnosis, select the best injection site, and avoid complications. If successful, repeat injections can be performed.
Patients receiving pain management treatments who need language interpretation or prefer to communicate in a language other than English are encouraged to bring a family member or friend to their appointment to assist with translation. This ensures that patients fully understand the procedure and necessary instructions. If the patient is unable to comprehend the instructions, the appointment may need to be rescheduled. As Mayfair does not provide language interpreters, it is essential for patients to make these arrangements in advance.
This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.
Please bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).
Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.
30-40 minutes
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Computed tomography (CT) is an advanced imaging system that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce comprehensive images of your abdomen. CT scans give a much more detailed picture than regular X-rays and can identify many conditions that may escape detection on other imaging tests.
Your health care practitioners may order an abdomen CT scan to examine one of the following (or, for a more comprehensive exam, a combined abdomen/pelvis CT):
A cause of pain or swelling.
Lymph nodes or blood vessels.
The kidney or bladder.
The liver, pancreas, or spleen.
The small or large bowel.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?
WITHOUT CONTRAST: If contrast is not used, you will need to fast for two hours prior to your appointment.
ORAL CONTRAST: If oral contrast is prescribed, you will need to fast for four hours prior to your appointment and arrive two hours prior to your exam, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking.
IV CONTRAST: If oral contrast and/or IV contrast is prescribed, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check-in with reception.
Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
Please do not drink coffee, tea, or juice six hours prior to your exam.