Think of your neck as a bridge joining your brain with the remaining part of your body. This bridge comprises bones, discs, and nerves that enable you to move and feel. Occasionally, some issues can occur, like a slipped disc or bone spurs that result in pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck, shoulders, arms, or hands. In such cases, a doctor might recommend a procedure called a cervical epidural injection. Let’s take a look at this and how it can facilitate the healing process.

What Is a Cervical Epidural Injection?

A cervical epidural injection is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment in which a physician administers medication into the vicinity of your spinal cord in the neck. The main objective is to alleviate pain and lessen inflammation due to issues such as:

• Herniated discs: This is the most common indication where a bulged disc presses on the nerves in the neck and results in pain in the neck, which travels down the arm.
• Bone spurs: Development of bony protrusions that may squeeze the nerves.
• Spinal stenosis: Reduced space in the vertebral column leading to pressure on the nerves.

The medication typically consists of a corticosteroid (to downsize the swelling) and an anaesthetic agent (to cause insensitivity in the target area). This combination provides the dual benefit of pain management and nerve recovery.

How Is the Injection Done?

Generally, the process takes place in a hospital or clinic and lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. This is what occurs:

• Preparation: The doctor will clean the area around your neck, and you will be lying on your stomach.
• Numbing: Skin and deeper tissues are numbed with a tiny needle.
• Injection: A larger needle is slowly inserted into the epidural space around the spinal cord, using X-ray guidance.
• Medicine Delivery: The doctor mixes the steroid and anaesthetic and injects them into the area.

You may experience some pressure, but pain should not accompany the procedure. After that, you can leave the same day.

What Are the Benefits?

Cervical epidural injections can give:

• Pain relief: Lessens pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Reduced inflammation: Assists in lowering the inflammation surrounding the affected nerves.
• Improvement in mobility: Makes the neck and arm movements less painful, thereby improving mobility.

While the relief can be temporary, it can last for weeks or even months. Some people find long-term improvement after a few injections.

Why Is It Needed?

The cervical spine consists of seven bony vertebrae (C1 to C7) with intervertebral discs as cushions in between. The nerve fibres run from the spinal cord through the openings between these vertebrae to the areas that control perception and motion for the arms, shoulders, and hands. When a nerve gets pinched, it can lead to:

• Neck soreness or discomfort
• Abnormal sensations like tingling or loss of sensation in the arms and hands
• Decrease in strength in the shoulder, arm, or hand

A cervical epidural injection can be used for treating conditions like:

• Prolapsed discs, in which the soft core part of a disc bulges out and irritates the nearby nerves.
• Osteophytes are hard tissue formations that press on the nearby nerves.

Spinal canal narrowing, which is a condition that leads to reduced space in the spinal canal, thus putting the nerves under pressure.

Risks and Considerations

Indeed, cervical epidural injections are much safer overall, but they still have a few potential risks that one should be aware of:

• Infection: Rarely seen when the sterile precautions are adequately followed.
• Bleeding: Those who are on antiplatelet therapy or have bleeding disorders are at risk.
• Headache or Dizziness: A few people may suffer from temporary side effects.
• Numbness or Weakness: Generally, it lasts for a short time and goes away in hours or days.

Your physician will go through your past medical records and talk about if this treatment is safe and appropriate for you before going ahead.

Who Can Benefit?

Patients are often considered for cervical epidural injections if:

• Pain persists despite medications, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes.
• Pain significantly limits daily activities.
• Imaging tests (like MRI or CT scans) show nerve compression.

This procedure can be particularly effective for patients with cervical radiculopathy, a condition where nerve roots in the neck are irritated, causing arm pain, tingling, or weakness.

After the Procedure

Post-injection care is simple:

• Rest: Limit heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least a day.
• Observation: Monitor for any unusual symptoms like severe headache, fever, or worsening numbness.
• Follow-up: Your doctor may schedule a visit to assess pain relief and decide if additional injections are needed.

Most people experience gradual improvement in pain and mobility, allowing them to resume normal activities more comfortably.

Read More: Understanding Facet Injections: Relief From Chronic Back & Neck Pain

Final Thoughts

Cervical epidural injections are one of the safest as well as most effective ways of dealing with pain that is the result of nerve irritation in the neck. They provide relief from pain and swelling, and at the same time, daily functions are somehow improved due to the direct delivery of the medication to the affected spot. While not a cure, they are often an essential part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include therapy, medications, and lifestyle adjustments.

Making the patients aware of the procedure’s benefits and risks, potential consequences inspires them to take part in the decision-making process. If you have neck and/or arm pains that are disturbing your daily life, seek advice from an experienced healthcare provider to find out if cervical epidural injections might be a solution to your comfort and mobility issues.