Advanced Thoracic Spine Care

Precision Epidural Relief Near You in New Jersey

The middle back is the least common level to develop nerve pain. When a condition develops, however, its symptoms can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life. Kurdali Spine & Pain treats middle back pain with a variety of treatments, including thoracic epidural steroid injections. We provide non-surgical treatments for back, neck, nerve, and joint pain at locations near you in New Jersey, helping patients get back to their normal everyday activities without pain.

Key Takeaways

Thoracic epidural steroid injections (ESIs) treat middle back pain by injecting anti-inflammatory medications into the tissues surrounding the spine.
Thoracic ESIs provide relief from symptoms of nerve impingement, which include burning pain, radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Symptoms of middle back nerve impingement can be caused by poor posture, degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, spinal arthritis, and failed back surgery syndrome.
Kurdali Spine & Pain provides non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, offering same-day treatment for patients in New Jersey.

What Are Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

Thoracic epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a non-surgical treatment for middle back pain. They provide several months of relief at a time, allowing patients to focus on everyday life without relying on strong medications to manage their symptoms.

The thoracic ESI procedure is quick and simple. Dr. Basil Kurdali uses medical imaging guidance to inject corticosteroid medication into the epidural layer of the spine, or the layer of fat and other tissues that surround the spine. The steroid mimics cortisol, a stress hormone naturally produced by the body, to shut down the immune system response in a localized area. This reduces inflammation, removes pressure from spinal nerve roots, and eliminates pain.

What Symptoms Are Treated with Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

ESIs are the number one method for managing radiculopathy. Thoracic radiculopathy refers to the impingement or pinching of a spinal root nerve. The pinching interrupts nerve signals, halting the flow of information between the spinal cord and the rest of the body. It also sends abnormal nerve signals from the nerves being pinched. This results in symptoms and sensations that include:

Injections treat nerve pain by relaxing the tissues surrounding the impinged nerve. This creates more space around the nerve, allowing it to function without pressure or irritation.

What Conditions Are Treated with Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

Thoracic radiculopathy can have a variety of causes. Almost any tissue type in the spine can put pressure on a root nerve. Common conditions that cause nerve pain include:

Poor Posture

Poor posture is one of the most common causes of middle back nerve pain. Over time, poor posture creates an improper spinal alignment. It also strains the muscles, causing irritation and inflammation. Either of these consequences may result in nerve impingement.

Thoracic Degenerative Disc Disease

Thoracic degenerative disc disease refers to wear and tear on spinal discs in the middle back. Spinal discs are pads of tissue that provide cushioning to the spine. Over time, they become thin and brittle. The thinned discs reduce the space between vertebrae, potentially pinching a nerve.

Thoracic Herniated Disc

A thoracic herniated disc can also be called a slipped, bulging, or ruptured disc. It occurs when a spinal disc becomes damaged, allowing its gel-like center to leak through a crack in the disc wall. The leaking material often pushes into the space where nerves leave the spine, irritating the nerves.

Thoracic Arthritis

Thoracic arthritis refers to wear and tear on the joints in the middle back. Over time, this causes the cartilage to wear down. Bones rub together, promoting the growth of bone spurs into the spinal canal or the foramen, or the openings where nerves exit the spine.

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) refers to pain that continues or comes back after spine surgery. Not all patients experience an improvement in symptoms after surgery, and some may even have their pain increased due to infection, nerve damage, or incorrect treatment.

How Are Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections Done?

In preparation for thoracic epidural steroid injections, Dr. Kurdali performs a thorough diagnosis. This step ensures that he has correctly identified the cause of the patient’s pain and that the planned treatment is appropriate. He begins with a thorough physical examination in which he assesses the thoracic spine and asks questions about the patient’s symptoms. He follows up with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray imaging to examine the spine’s internal structures more closely.

Epidural steroid injections are typically performed right after diagnosis. Before beginning treatment, patients should discuss potentially complicating factors with Dr. Kurdali. These may include having diabetes, being allergic to contrast dyes, or taking blood-thinning medications. By informing Dr. Kurdali in advance, patients can help ensure a successful treatment.

What Can I Expect from Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

Thoracic epidural steroid injections are performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning they don’t require staying at the hospital. Patients are asked to put on a hospital gown, then lie face down on a comfortable table. Once the patient is in position, Dr. Kurdali performs these steps:

Dr. Kurdali cleans the skin around the injection site.
He may inject a local anesthetic. This numbs the area to reduce discomfort when inserting the epidural needle, which is larger than a standard needle.
Using X-ray guidance, Dr. Kurdali guides the epidural needle near the impinged nerve.
Dr. Kurdali uses the epidural needle to inject a small amount of contrast dye. The dye improves the clarity of X-ray imaging so Dr. Kurdali can be sure that the needle is placed correctly.
Dr. Kurdali uses the same needle to slowly inject the steroid medication. The patient may feel pressure, tingling, or a burning sensation that ends when the injection is complete.
He removes the needle and applies gentle pressure to prevent bleeding.
Finally, he cleans the injection site and covers it with a dressing.

The procedure takes only 15 to 30 minutes. Afterward, patients get a short rest in a bed or a chair. Dr. Kurdali will monitor them to make sure there is no allergic reaction or other complication. If all seems well, then the patient is cleared to go home. Thoracic ESIs do not have a significant recovery period. Patients can go back to work, driving, exercise, and other daily activities.

What Are the Results from Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

Many patients feel relief right after their injection. This is not because of the steroid, but because of the local anesthetic used to numb the area during the procedure. Initial relief usually wears off within a day. While patients may experience a brief return of pain, this is normal and does not mean that the injection did not work. Thoracic ESIs can take up to seven days to take full effect. Once the steroid kicks in, patients experience a significant reduction of their symptoms.

The duration of pain relief varies between patients. Some individuals feel relief only for a few weeks, while others will be pain-free for several months or longer. When the pain returns, patients can schedule an appointment to renew the injections. Dr. Kurdali develops personalized schedules to ensure that the relief is restored whenever it wears off.

What Are the Side Effects and Risks from Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections?

Thoracic epidural steroid injections are a proven procedure with few side effects. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and may include:

These side effects should go away within one to seven days. If the patient experiences any symptoms other than the ones described above, they should contact Dr. Kurdali about a possible infection or allergic reaction. Warning signs to watch for include:

Patients should also talk to Dr. Kurdali if pain relief does not kick in after a week. If the steroids do not provide relief, then the pain might be caused by something other than the spinal nerves. The patient might also have multiple concurrent conditions that cause pain. The sooner Dr. Kurdali can determine why injections did not help, the sooner he can devise a new treatment plan.

What Should I Expect from Rehabilitation?

While epidural steroid injections provide significant relief from pain, the relief is temporary. They do not directly repair any damage to the spine or spinal nerves. For long-term pain management, Dr. Kurdali may recommend rehabilitative care, such as:

PT and chiropractic care take advantage of the period of relief from an ESI to work toward long-term improvements. By strengthening and realigning the spine, they reduce the likelihood that the pain will return after the injection wears off, allowing for better long-term outcomes.

Why Choose Kurdali Spine & Pain?

Nerve pain invades every area of life, making it difficult to enjoy your favorite activities. Fortunately, surgery may not be required to get relief. Kurdali Spine & Pain is led by Dr. Basil Kurdali, a board-certified pain management doctor who provides non-surgical pain treatments at locations across New Jersey. He uses his training and experience to diagnose and treat spine conditions with great accuracy, helping patients feel better without an expensive procedure or long recovery.

Dr. Kurdali also understands that patients don’t want to wait for relief. When you are in pain, you want answers as soon as possible. Kurdali Spine & Pain helps you get better with a same-day diagnosis and treatment. When you visit our facility, we help you go home with a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and less pain than you arrived with.

Get Middle Back Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

If you are struggling with symptoms of middle back pain, trust Kurdali Spine & Pain to help you find relief. We provide a full range of non-surgical treatment options for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain. Contact us today to learn more about thoracic epidural steroid injections and other non-invasive pain management solutions or to schedule your first appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection FAQ

When can I return to work, driving, and exercise after a thoracic epidural steroid injection?

Patients can return to work, driving, and exercise immediately after their injection.

When are side effects after a thoracic epidural steroid injection concerning?

Patients should contact a doctor if they experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, including fever, nausea, confusion, or dizziness.

How is a thoracic epidural steroid injection different from cervical or lumbar injections?

The difference between thoracic ESIs and cervical or lumbar ESIs is the location where the injection is given. For thoracic ESIs, it is given in the mid-back area, while cervical is in the upper back/neck area, and lumbar is given in the lower back/leg area.