If you have herniated disc or sciatica pain and want immediate pain relief, visit our doctor at Park West Pain Management, located 1 West 85th Street in Manhattan, New York or at our office in Staten Island, New York for pain management and pain treatment.

The Herniated Disc:
The intervertebral disc is an integral part of your dynamic spine. It works in conjunction with the vertebral bodies to absorb much of the stress and weight changes associated with movement. The disc is avascular and does not contain nerves. The outer layer or annular fibrosis is composed of a thick, tough substance that holds the inner cushioning material, the nucleus pulposus. When there is compromise of the tough outer layer, the disc can herniated, meaning that either the outer layer pushes outward or there is leakage of the soft inner layer. This phenomenon occurs most commonly in the posterior part of the disc, near the area where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal. When these nerve roots are irritated, you get pain in the distribution of that nerve. This is known as sciatica.

Sciatica pain can be severe and debilitating. People often try an assortment of over the counter and non interventional treatments for their back and leg pain without success. The natural course of the herniated disc is that the body either resorbs the disc and pain improves over several weeks to months, or pain can persist for an extended period of time.

Epidural injections are performed to relieve the pain caused by herniated discs. This pain can be in the legs, but also commonly happens in the neck and arms as well. An epidural is performed by using an x-ray machine known as a fluoroscopy unit, and a very small needle (25G). The fluoroscopy unit allows this small needle to be guided right to the nerve root that is irritated, as close to the actual disc herniation as possible. The epidural space is entered at that site and a very small amount of local anesthetic and steroid are applied. Because the needle is placed at the specific area of irritation, only a very small amount needs to be used. Most people get very good pain relief shortly(minutes to days) after the procedure.

Our pain management specialist in Manhattan and Staten Island, New York would be happy to see you for a consultation and tell you about the treatment options available to you for your herniated disc and/or sciatica pain.