What is actually injected?
The transforaminal injection consists of a mixture of saline, local anesthetic and the long acting steroid medication. The amount of medication actually injected is very small, rarely more than one or two milliliters. Will the transforaminal injection hurt? The transforaminal injection involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues. There is some pain involved. However, we often numb the skin and deeper tissues with a local anesthetic using a very thin needle before inserting the injection needle. Once numbed, placing the injection needle often feels like more of a strong pressure and pinching, often not as sharp pain. Some patients choose to receive intravenous sedation that can make the procedure easier to tolerate. Certain patients sometimes choose to undergo the transforaminal injection with nothing extra and do surprisingly well. Will I be “put out” for the transforaminal injection? No. This procedure is done under local anesthesia. Some patients choose to receive int
