Common causes of pinched nerves include disk protrusions into the nerve space, arthritic facet joints with a narrowed spinal canal and bone spurs. Less often, scar tissue that has formed from a previous surgery can cause nerve impingement and pain.

Nerves exit the spinal cord through the epidural space. Physicians use this space to deliver medicine near the spinal nerves. The most-effective medicines include local numbing medicines and anti-inflammatory steroids, which help reduce swelling and inflammation that can lead to pinched nerves.

What is the epidural space?

The membrane that covers the spinal cord and nerve roots in your spine is called the dura membrane. The space surrounding the dura is the epidural space. Nerves travel through the epidural space to your back and into your legs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain in these regions because of irritation from a damaged disk or from contact with the bony structure of the spine. The epidural space is normally filled with fat and blood vessels. Fluid, such as the lidocaine and cortisone that is injected, is free to flow up and down the spine and inside the epidural space to coat the nerves that run inside the spinal canal.

What is an epidural injection, and why is it helpful?

An epidural injection places anti-inflammatory medicine into the epidural space. This may help the injury heal by reducing inflammation. It may provide permanent relief or pain relief for several months while the injury or cause of your pain is healing. Sometimes the injection may be used to control the symptoms so you can participate in physical therapy, become more active and better control the symptoms with a conservative program.

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