Cervical Epidural Injection

For certain types of neck pain, your doctor may suggest a cervical epidural injection. With this medication is injected into your neck near your spine. The injection helps the doctor find the source of your pain. It can also help relieve your pain and soreness.

The Cervical Vertebrae

The cervical vertebrae are the bones that support your neck and head. They form the top part of your spine. The tunnel made by these vertebrae is called the spinal canal. The spinal cord runs through the spinal canal, inside a sac called the dura. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit through the vertebrae. Pressure on one of these nerves may cause it to become inflamed (irritated and swollen). An inflamed nerve in your neck may cause neck pain that may also be felt in your head or arms.

The Cervical Epidural Injection

To help relieve your pain, medication is injected into the epidural space. This space surrounds the dura within the spinal canal. Your doctor may also do a nerve block. During this procedure, medication is injected near a specific nerve root (the part of the nerve that leaves the spinal canal). A nerve block can help your doctor find out which nerve or nerves are the source of your pain.