The cervical vertebrae

The cervical vertebrae are the bones that support your neck and head. They form the top part of your spine. The tunnel made by these vertebrae is called the spinal canal. The spinal cord runs through the spinal canal and inside a sac called the dura. Nerves branch off the spinal cord and exit between the vertebrae. Pressure on one of these nerves may cause it to become inflamed. An inflamed nerve in your neck may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that you may feel in your neck, head, or arms.

The cervical epidural injection

In certain conditions, medicine can be injected into the epidural space. This space surrounds the dura within the spinal canal. An anesthetic (numbing medicine) is used to reduce discomfort from the procedure. Then a needle is inserted between the bones of the neck. When the correct location is reached, the medicine may be injected. The injection is usually done with the help of imaging, such as fluoroscopy. This helps guide the needle to exactly the right position. Care is taken to reduce the chance of infection from the procedure. Infection is rare, but can be serious. The procedure will be done by a health care specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, a pain specialist, an interventional radiologist, or an anesthesiologist.

Possible risks and complications

• Infection

• Spinal headaches

• Bleeding

• Nerve damage

• Spinal cord damage

• Prolonged increase in pain

Serious complications of various types have been reported. Talk with your health care provider about the possible side effects and when they should be reported.