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Epidural Steroid Injection Center - Hilo, HI

Hilo Orthopedic Surgeon Doctors for Epidural Steroid Injection

Type of Physician: Orthopedic Surgeon

What is a Orthopedic Surgeon ?

A certification by the Board of Orthopaedic Surgery; practitioners focus on the investigation, preservation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated structures by medical, surgical and physical means. Birth defects, trauma, infections, tumors and metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal system are problems cared for by the orthopaedic surgeon.

Specialty: Orthopaedic Surgery

Common Name: Orthopedist

Orthopedic Surgeon Doctors in Hilo *

Hawaii Orthopaedics
Edward Gutteling
45 Mohouli St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 961-2609

Robert D Irvine MD
Robert D Irvine
670 Ponahawai St
STE 115
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-5465

Drs Peter Matsuura
Peter A Matsura
670 Ponahawai St
STE 214
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-2841

Barry Blum MD
Barry Blum
79-7540 H Mamalahoa Hwy
Kealakekua, HI 96750
(808) 322-6004

Hilo, Hawaii

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Epidural Steroid Injection

What is an epidural steroid injection?

An epidural steroid injection is a common procedure to treat spinal nerve irritation that is caused by tissues next to the nerve pressing against it. The beginning of the nerve (nerve root) is most often irritated by an inflamed intervertebral disc, or disc contents, directly touching the spinal nerve.

[Drawing of a disc herniation compressing the spinal nerve root]

An epidural steroid injection involves bathing an inflamed nerve root in steroids (potent anti-inflammation medicine) in order to decrease the irritation of the nerve root that is causing pain.

How is an epidural steroid injection performed?

The epidural steroid injection procedure is quick and simple. While it is common for people to be concerned prior to the procedure, it is actually frequent to hear from patients afterwards: "Is that all?"

The spinal cord rests in the spinal canal. The nerve roots branch out from the spinal cord at each level of a spinal vertebra (the bony building blocks of the spine). The cord is protected by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which serves as a shock absorber for the cord. The CSF is held in place by a membrane with several layers, one of which is called the dura, from the Greek for tough (think of "durable"). The Greek word "epi" means "outside of." So, the epidural space is outside of this tough membrane. During an epidural steroid injection, a needle and syringe are used to enter the epidural space and deposit small amounts of long-lasting steroids around the inflamed spinal nerve. A fluoroscope (a viewing instrument using X-rays) is used to visualize the local anatomy during the injection. The epidural steroid injection specifically targets the inflamed area and treats it with a maximal amount of steroids, thereby minimizing exposure of the rest of the body to the steroid...

Recommended Reading Related to Epidural Steroid Injection

Pinched Nerve »

Introduction to pinched nerve

Nerves are like electrical cords that carry information from the brain to the rest of the body and vice-versa. They are distributed throughout the entire body.

  • Motor (efferent) nerves carry information from the brain out to the body. This allows the brain to send commands to the various organs of the body. For example, these commands are sent to the muscles causing them to contract and move, or sends information to the heart to either beat faster or slower.
  • Sensory (afferent) nerves send information from the body back to the brain for processing, including information about pain, touch, taste, temperature, or other sensations.

The information travels along the nerve by an electrochemical signal, much like information traveling along an electrical cord. When a nerve is pinched, the signal is interrupted somewhere along its path.

What caus...

Emergency Contact for Hilo

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Hilo Hospitals *

Hilo Medical Center
1190 Waianuenue Ave
Hilo, HI 96720
(808)974-4700

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