Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (CESI)

WHAT IS IT?

An injection that decreases inflammation in around the nerves that come from the neck and go down the shoulders to the arms and fingers. The irritation is usually caused by a bulging disc that is pushing on the nerve or severe arthritis around the neck nerves. The doctor will place an anti-inflammatory solution (corticosteroid) in and around the nerves to reduce the swelling and irritation, hopefully increasing function and the ability to carry out physical therapy. The injection can be done with the patient laying head down or face up. When the patient is laying head down, the doctor will use live action x-ray to go between the bones of the neck and any nerves of the neck. When the patient is laying face up, the doctor will use live action x-ray to specifically place local anesthetic and corticosteroid around the nerve that is irritated. The nerve is identified through a prior MRI and patient history.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

There is some risk of nerve damage, bleeding, infection, and spinal cord injury, but with our sophisticated equipment, risks are minimized.