Thoracic Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

Thoracic transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a procedure that relieves pain in the upper back, ribs, and abdomen caused by pinched nerves in the thoracic spine. This outpatient procedure can provide relief from several back problems, including spinal nerve injuries, thoracic disk herniation, and spinal stenosis.

Step One

Before the procedure begins, the patient will lie on the stomach and the injection area will be numbed with a local anesthetic.

Step Two

An x-ray device called a fluoroscope will be used to guide the needle through the neural foramen space in the spine, which is where the spine’s nerves travel. This step ensures the needle is reaching the correct location. A combined anesthetic/corticosteroid solution is then injected into the foramen space. This anti-inflammatory medication is designed to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pressure. A contrast dye is also injected to confirm the effectiveness of the injection.

Step Three

After the procedure, the needle is removed and the injection site is bandaged. For most people, pain relief will be noticeable within three days of the injection. Additional injections may be required for the procedure to be most effective