A Transforaminal Lumbar Epidural is about a 5-10 minute process. The treatment can involve a minor amount of pain, however, in most cases we numb the area surrounding the injection first before the treatment to reduce the pain. We inject a mixture of a long acting steroid, saline, and local anesthetic into the lumbar region of the spine where a nerve root exits. There is a small sleeve of the epidural space that extends out over the nerve root for a short distance. This epidural root sleeve is just outside the spinal canal.

These transforaminal lumbar epidurals are also known as root sleeve blocks, root blocks, or transforaminal epidural blocks. The purpose of these epidural injections is to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the spinal nerve root and other tissues surrounding. These injections can help reduce pain, tingling, numbness, inflammation, irritation and swelling in the lumbar area and surrounding areas