What is the Anatomy of an Epidural Injection For Sciatica?

One of the major indications for having an epidural injection performed is sciatica pain from a herniated disc Mk 677 for sale. But what does the term epidural refer to anatomically?

Coming out of the brain is the spinal cord, which is a tube like structure that runs down one’s spinal column. The spinal cord is protected by vertebrae, which are the bony elements of the spine Lgd 4033 for sale. The tube that protects the spinal cord is referred to as the “dural sac”, also the “dura”. Coming off of the dural sac at each vertebral level are nerve roots. There is one on each side. As the nerve roots come off of the dural sac, there is still a covering of the nerve root called the “dura.” The prefix “epi” refers to “around” so the word “epidural” refers to the around the “dural sac”.

The epidural space is where the injection is performed. It typically consists of cortisone, or steroid. There are two areas in the epidural space where the cortisone is typically placed.

One is just underneath the bony element in the back of the spine overlying the spinal cord. This is called an inter-laminar epidural injection Mk 2866 for sale. The other is when the steroid injection is placed in the region where the nerve root comes off of the spinal cord, this is called a transforaminal injection.