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 often use this space to deliver medicine close to the spinal nerves. The most-effective medicines include numbing and antiinflammatory medicines, which help reduce swelling and inflammation.

 

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 middle back and along the ribs. Inflammation of these nerve roots may cause pain in these regions because of irritation from damaged disks or from contact with the bony structure of the spine.

 

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

An epidural injection places antiinflammatory medicine into the epidural space to decrease inflammation of the nerve roots and reduce the pain in your middle back or around your ribcage. The epidural injection 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.