25 Sep 5 Questions to Ask Your Pain Management Doctor Before Getting an Epidural Injection in Carrollton
Deciding to get an Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is an important step toward addressing chronic back or leg pain — but the most crucial choice you’ll make is selecting the right pain management specialist in the Carrollton area. These injections help reduce inflammation around pinched nerves, offering short-term relief for conditions such as sciatica. However, before moving forward, it’s essential to ask smart, specific questions.
Here are five key questions to bring to your consultation. Asking these questions will help you understand your treatment, feel confident in your provider’s expertise, and take proactive steps toward better, long-term pain management.
1. How Do You Know My Pain Is Really Caused by a Pinched Nerve?
Before any injection is performed, your doctor should confirm that the source of your pain is, in fact, a pinched nerve. Epidural Steroid Injections are typically used to help reduce pain and swelling caused by nerve irritation, such as sciatica (sharp, shooting leg pain). The injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected nerve root.
However, not all back or leg pain originates from a pinched nerve. Some patients experience similar symptoms from joint inflammation, such as irritation in the facet joints or sacroiliac (SI) joint.
What Your Doctor Should Discuss:
A skilled specialist will use diagnostic tools to pinpoint the source of your pain and explain why an ESI is a suitable option. They should clearly outline how they’ve determined that your symptoms are related to nerve irritation rather than joint pain. This careful evaluation shows your doctor’s focus on accurate diagnosis and a thoughtful, long-term treatment plan.
2. Which Injection Technique Will You Use, and Why?
Not all ESIs are performed the same way. The specific technique your doctor uses reflects their expertise and precision. One common approach is the transforaminal injection, which delivers medication precisely where the nerve exits the spine. Studies indicate that this targeted method may offer more effective short-term relief for leg pain compared to other techniques.
Why This Question Matters:
Asking about the technique helps you understand how your doctor plans to ensure accuracy and safety during your procedure. If your specialist uses an advanced method such as the transforaminal approach, it suggests a focus on precision and targeted care.
3. If the Pain Returns, What Is the Next Step in My Long-Term Plan?
Epidural injections are often helpful for calming inflammation and pain flares, but the results are temporary and can vary by patient. Relief may last for several weeks or months. Because the underlying issue may persist, your doctor should have a clear plan if your symptoms return.
Focusing on Lasting Relief:
An experienced doctor will discuss additional treatment options if pain recurs. For example, if your pain comes from the facet joints, the next step might be Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). This minimally invasive procedure uses heat to disrupt pain signals from specific nerves. RFA can provide longer-lasting relief than injections in some cases, but it’s only appropriate once the pain source has been accurately identified.
Ask about your doctor’s long-term treatment philosophy to ensure you have a plan that goes beyond short-term solutions.
4. What Should I Do Before and After the Injection?
Knowing how to prepare for and recover from your injection will help you feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of complications.
Before the Procedure:
- Medications: Ask if you should stop taking any medications, especially blood thinners or aspirin, beforehand.
- Transportation: Confirm if you’ll need a driver. Most patients do, due to local anesthetics or mild sedation used during the procedure.
After the Procedure:
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity or driving for the rest of the day.
- Common Side Effects: Mild soreness or increased pain for a day is normal. Some patients may temporarily feel jittery, have mild insomnia, or notice a short-term rise in blood sugar if diabetic.
- Monitoring: Ask what symptoms to watch for that could indicate a complication, such as redness or swelling at the injection site.
Understanding these details helps you prepare and recover with confidence.
5. What Experience Does Dr. Paul Kurian Have with Epidural Injections?
Experience matters when it comes to precision procedures like ESIs. You’ll want to know that the doctor performing your injection is a specialist in pain management and regularly performs these treatments.
At Principal Spine & Pain Management Consultants, Dr. Paul Kurian leads a team dedicated to helping patients in the Carrollton area manage pain through advanced, evidence-based techniques.
Questions to Ask:
- Procedure Volume: How many ESIs and other injection procedures does the doctor perform monthly?
- Technology Use: Does the clinic use real-time X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to ensure precise needle placement?
- Board Certification: Is your doctor board-certified in pain management or interventional techniques?
By asking these questions, you’ll walk into your consultation feeling informed, confident, and empowered to choose the best care for your pain management journey.