Epidural Injections After a Car Accident When You Need More Than Physical Therapy

Advanced Spine Pain Treatment in Granada Hills & San Fernando Valley

If you’re still dealing with back pain, neck pain, or radiating nerve symptoms after a car accident, physical therapy alone might not be enough.

In many cases, persistent pain is caused by inflammation around spinal nerves, often due to herniated discs or trauma-related compression. This is where epidural steroid injections (ESIs) can play a critical role.

At Modern Pain Solutions in Granada Hills, we specialize in image-guided epidural injections to relieve nerve pain, reduce inflammation, and help patients recover without surgery.

What Is an Epidural Injection?

An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure that delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly around irritated spinal nerves.

Unlike oral medications, which affect the entire body, epidural injections:

  • Target the exact source of pain
  • Reduce inflammation at the nerve root
  • Help restore function and mobility

These injections are commonly used for both personal injury patients and individuals with chronic spine conditions.

Why Epidural Injections Are Often Needed After Auto Accidents

Car accidents frequently cause:

  • Herniated or bulging discs
  • Nerve compression (pinched nerves)
  • Spinal inflammation
  • Sciatica or radiating pain

Even if symptoms don’t appear immediately, inflammation can build over time—leading to worsening pain weeks after the accident.

Symptoms That Indicate You Need an Epidural Injection

You might be a candidate if you’re experiencing:

  • Pain radiating down the arm or leg
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Burning or electric-like nerve pain
  • Weakness in the extremities
  • Persistent back or neck pain not improving with therapy

👉 Especially if physical therapy hasn’t resolved your symptoms

When Physical Therapy Isn’t Enough

Physical therapy is often an important first step—but it doesn’t always address:

  • Nerve inflammation
  • Disc-related compression
  • Severe pain limiting participation in rehab

Epidural injections can:

  • Reduce pain enough to allow effective participation in PT
  • Prevent progression to chronic nerve pain
  • Help patients avoid surgery

Types of Epidural Injections We Offer

At Modern Pain Solutions, we tailor the approach based on your condition:

Lumbar Epidural Injections

For:

  • Lower back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Leg pain

Cervical Epidural Injections

For:

  • Neck pain
  • Radiating arm pain
  • Cervical disc injuries

Transforaminal Epidural Injections

A highly targeted approach that:

  • Delivers medication directly to the affected nerve
  • Provides more precise relief

What to Expect During the Procedure

Epidural injections are performed using fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance) to ensure precision and safety.

The process typically includes:

  1. Cleaning and numbing the area
  2. Image-guided needle placement
  3. Injection of anti-inflammatory medication
  4. Short observation period

Most procedures take 15–30 minutes, and patients typically go home the same day.

How Long Do Epidural Injections Last?

Relief varies depending on the condition, but many patients experience:

  • Significant pain reduction within days
  • Relief lasting weeks to months
  • Improved ability to participate in rehabilitation

In some cases, a series of injections are be recommended.

Are Epidural Injections Safe?

Yes—when performed by experienced specialists using imaging guidance, epidural injections are:

  • Minimally invasive
  • Highly precise
  • Low risk

At Modern Pain Solutions, patient safety and accuracy are top priorities.

Personal Injury Considerations

For patients involved in car accidents, epidural injections can be an important part of both:

Medical recovery

  • Treating nerve-related pain
  • Preventing chronic conditions

Case documentation

  • Demonstrating severity of injury
  • Supporting need for advanced care
  • Showing progression of treatment

We work with PI patients throughout:

  • Granada Hills
  • Northridge
  • Porter Ranch
  • Sylmar
  • North Hills
  • Mission Hills

When Should You Consider an Epidural Injection?

You should consider seeing a specialist if:

  • Pain persists beyond a few weeks
  • Symptoms are worsening
  • You have radiating nerve pain
  • PT or medications aren’t helping
  • You want to avoid surgery

Q&A: Epidural Injections

Q: Do epidural injections hurt?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. The area is numbed before the procedure.

Q: How quickly will I feel relief?
Some patients feel relief within a few days, while others notice improvement over 1–2 weeks.

Q: How many injections will I need?
This depends on your condition. Some patients need only one, while others benefit from a series.

Q: Are epidural injections a permanent solution?
They are part of a comprehensive treatment plan and can provide long-term relief when combined with proper care.

Q: Can this help me avoid surgery?
In many cases, yes. Epidural injections can significantly reduce symptoms and delay or eliminate the need for surgery.

Take the Next Step Toward Real Pain Relief

If your pain isn’t improving—or you’ve been told to “just wait it out” a more targeted approach can be necessary.

At Modern Pain Solutions, we provide advanced interventional treatments designed to get you back to normal life faster.

📍 Modern Pain Solutions

10700 Balboa Blvd, Suite 102
Granada Hills, CA 91344
📞 (818) 826-4145
🌐 https://modernpainsolutions.com/
📅 Request Appointment: https://modernpainsolutions.com/appointments/

 

granada hills pain management

Find Us Here

Address 10700 Balboa Blvd, Suite 102
Granada Hills, CA 91344

We have easy access to the 118 and 405 freeways!

Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Call Us Appointments

Accessibility Tools

Increase TextIncrease Text
Decrease TextDecrease Text
GrayscaleGrayscale
Invert Colors
Readable FontReadable Font
Reset