Understanding Pain
Diagnosis & Understanding
4. Neck Pain
1:55
6. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
8. Foot Pain
1:50
9. Ankle and Foot Pain
1:46
10. Cancer Pain
1:34
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
2. Bracing
1:30
3. Acupuncture
2:13
4. Physical Therapy
1:35
5. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
2. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
5. Caudal Epidural
1:33
10. Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
1:39
11. Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
2:05
12. Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
1:36
13. MILD Procedure
2:04
14. Spinal Decompression Surgeries
1:41
15. Artificial Disc Replacement
1:52
Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
Diagnosis & Understanding
11. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
12. CRPS I
1:57
13. Central Sensitization Syndrome
1:48
14. Neck Pain
1:55
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
1:35
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
3. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
3. Stellate Ganglion Injection
1:52
4. Lumbar Sympathetic Injection
1:36
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. MILD Procedure
2:04
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
6. Artificial Disc Replacement
1:52
7. Facet Joint Fusion
1:48
8. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Interspinous Fusion (midline or lateral approach)
Diagnosis & Understanding
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
3. Bracing
1:30
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)
Diagnosis & Understanding
3. Pelvic and Perineal Pain
1:52
7. Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
1:46
8. CRPS I
1:57
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
1. Physical Therapy
1:35
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2:08
3. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
3. Lumbar Sympathetic Injection
1:36
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
3. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
Neck or Cervical Pain
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
2. Bracing
1:30
Minimally Invasive & Surgical Treatments
2. Caudal Epidural
1:33
5. Facet Joint Injection
1:44
10. Interventional Pain Procedures
1:58
13. Artificial Disc Replacement
1:52
Alternative & Emerging Therapies
1. Regenerative Medicine
2:06
2. PRP Injection
1:42
4. MFAT
2:04
5. Shockwave Therapy (MSK)
2:03
6. Laser Therapy
2:05
7. Ozone Therapy
1:37
Robert Moghim MD
Anchor Healthcare
Transforaminal Epidural Injection
1746881371
A transforaminal epidural injection (TFESI) helps relieve pain and inflammation around specific nerve roots in the spine. It's often used for conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy causing pain down the arms or legs. During the procedure, steroids and numbing medicine are injected using live X-ray guidance to target the discomfort area precisely.
TFESI might be necessary if you have persistent back, arm, leg, or neck pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments like physical therapy or medications. Relief can vary but often lasts for weeks or months.
Alternatives include intensive physical therapy, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and sometimes surgery. These options may be discussed if the injection doesn’t provide enough relief.
There are risks, though serious complications like infection or nerve damage are rare. Common side effects include facial flushing or headaches. Before the procedure, stopping blood thinners, discussing allergies, and arranging for someone to drive you home are essential. While sedation isn't usually needed, it can be used for anxiety or white coat syndrome.
Recovery is usually quick, though you should avoid driving or swimming right after. Most can resume normal activities the next day. Look for improvement in the following days as the medication works.
TFESI is minimally invasive and can effectively manage pain, potentially delaying more invasive surgeries. Discuss any concerns and expectations with our team of medical professionals, who are here to guide you.
FAQs
Are there alternatives to a TFESI if it doesn't provide relief?
Yes, if a TFESI does not provide sufficient relief, other treatment options can be considered. Alternatives include intensive physical therapy, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and in some cases, surgical interventions. These options should be discussed with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action based on the individual's condition and response to the injection.
How is the TFESI procedure performed?
During the TFESI procedure, a patient is typically positioned face down on an X-ray table. Using live X-ray guidance, the physician inserts a needle through the neural foramen, which is the bony opening where the nerve exits the spine, to deliver the medication directly to the affected nerve root. This precise placement targets inflammation and provides pain relief.
What are the risks and potential side effects of a TFESI?
While serious complications are rare, potential risks of TFESI include infection, nerve damage, and side effects like facial flushing or headaches. Temporary increases in pain can also occur right after the procedure. Patients are encouraged to discuss any allergies, particularly to steroids or the contrast dye used during the procedure, with their doctor beforehand.
What can I expect in terms of recovery after a TFESI?
Recovery from a TFESI is usually quick. Patients are monitored for about 30 minutes after the procedure, during which any immediate side effects like headaches or flushing are observed. It's advised to avoid driving or swimming right after and to expect pain relief within a few days as the steroids take effect. Most individuals can return to normal activities the following day.
What is a transforaminal epidural injection (TFESI)?
A transforaminal epidural injection (TFESI) is a medical procedure that involves injecting a combination of steroids and numbing medication near specific nerve roots in the spine to reduce pain and inflammation. It's commonly used for conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy that cause pain radiating down the arms or legs.