Epidural Injections & Other Back Pain Treatments for Patients in Louisville, KY

A dedicated member of the Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic team, Aaron K. Compton, M.D. provides world-class interventional pain management services to patients in Louisville, Kentucky, at our Center for Orthopaedic Spine & Pain. Dr. Compton is a board-certified interventional pain management specialist who leverages evidence-based techniques from multiple disciplines to help patients effectively manage or resolve painful spine conditions and reduce the need for major surgery and opioid narcotics. One such technique is epidural injections.

How Does an Epidural Injection Treat Back Pain?

An epidural injection, also referred to as an epidural steroid injection (ESI), helps relieve pain-causing inflammation by delivering anti-inflammatory and anesthetic medications directly into the epidural space of the spine near the painful area. The epidural space is the fatty area between the bones (vertebrae) and the protective covering of the nerves (dura sac) that branch out from the spine. The effectiveness of epidural injections vary from patient to patient; some may experience back pain relief for a few days, while others may feel the effects of treatment for several months or years.

Epidural injections may be appropriate for patients with back pain related to spinal nerve compression. There are several spine problems that can lead to pinched or inflamed nerves, including:

• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoarthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Bulging or herniated discs
• Fractures

Sciatica, the distinct group of symptoms that occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched, is another common reason for epidural injections. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, beginning at the base of the spine and splitting to run down both feet.  Sciatica is characterized by sharp or radiating pain, numbness, muscle weakness, and tingling sensations in the lower body.

Other Back Pain Treatment Options

Dr. Compton is able to maximize results for his patients by strategically combining multiple therapies into tailored, well-rounded treatment plans. By merging injection treatments with physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, behavioral therapy, and minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Compton helps patients effectively manage or resolve back pain as safely and efficiently as possible. To ensure the best possible results, he takes the time to thoroughly review each patient’s symptoms and medical history, then utilizes advanced diagnostic technologies to pinpoint the source of their back pain.

Schedule an Appointment

Don’t let back pain hold you back from enjoying your favorite activities. The Louisville Orthopedic Clinic team at our Center for Orthopaedic Spine & Pain is ready to help you achieve your best health and a better quality of life. To learn more about our back pain treatment options or our approach to interventional pain management, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Compton, just contact our friendly staff today.