EmtShirl

Hi secondfiddle,

I just wanted to let you know that CESI's and nerve blocks are different from each other.

Shirl

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
The traditional epidural (ep-e-do-ral) steroid injection technique involves the physician feeling the patient's spine in order to guide the placement of a needle between the spinal vertebrae. A newer technique involves using x-ray fluoroscopy (floor-o-sko-pee) to guide the needle directly to the neural foramen, the point where the affected spinal nerve root exits the spine.

Injections of steroids into the lumbar epidural space are particularly useful for pain that radiates from the lower back into a leg. This pain may be caused by disc herniation or spinal stenosis, which triggers nerve root irritation and inflammation. ESIs are also used to treat neck pain that extends into the arms. Injections of steroid medications into joints can help to reduce pain and inflammation. For example, the facet joints of the spine are a common cause of back pain. Injections into these joints or blocks of the nerves that go to the facet joints can often be very helpful with these pains. This problem is more common in the lumbar spine, but also occurs in the neck.

Nerve Blocks are injections of medication onto or near nerves. The medications that are injected include local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids. Blocks are used to control acute pain (i.e., shot at the dentist or an epidural block for the surgical delivery of a baby). X-ray fluoroscopic guidance is sometimes used to help place the needle accurately. Blocks can provide periods of dramatic pain relief, which promotes the desensitization of sensory pathways. Steroids can help reduce nerve and joint inflammation and can reduce the abnormal triggering of signals from injured nerves.

Blocks often provide diagnostic information, helping to determine the source of the pain. Peripheral Nerve Blocks affect the peripheral nerves; nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. These nerves transmit sensation and motor (movement) control.

__________________
Love,
Shirl
History:

1980- Transaxillary resection of 1st rib and division of band (left side)
1982- Diagnostic Laparoscopy
1985- Transaxillary excision of cervical rib (right side)
1991- Laser stapedectomy (right side)
1992- Fractional D&C
1992- Diagnostic Laparoscopy
1996- Lumbar hemilaminectomy
1999- Left knee arthoscopic surgery
2001- Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy
2002- L5-S1 Microdiscectomy
2002- L4-L5, L5-S1 Anterior inter-body lumbar fusion with cages and my own bone from left hip for bone graft
2002- Neck problems Surgery??????
2002 DEC 21- C4-5, C5-C6 Anterior Cervical Corpectomy with Fusion and Internal Fixation (Bone from the bone bank)