These injections may be done in the cervical region (for arm pain or brachialgia) or the lumbar region (for leg pain or sciatica).
These injections are done with X-ray or CT guidance to ensure accurate placement of the needle next to the nerve. Steroids and local anaesthetic are injected. Transforaminal nerve sheath injections are generally carried out under light sedation, and the patient is discharged within a couple of hours.
Transforaminal nerve sheath injections have 2 broad goals:
Diagnostic. If the pain in your arm or leg is significantly reduced following injection of a specific nerve, this provides the physician with good evidence that the injected nerve is responsible for these symptoms. Confirming the diagnosis may allow other specific treatment options to be considered.
Therapeutic. These injections frequently result in a sustained benefit in terms of arm or leg pain, ranging from days to months. It is thought that the steroids reduce the amount of inflammation of the nerve, thereby reducing the amount of pain. The injections can be repeated when the pain returns.
As with any procedure, there are some inherent risks. These procedures are generally low-risk, but potential complications include:
