Details.
Injection of anesthetic into the lower back to relieve cancer pain that does not respond to oral or IV medications. The procedure includes cleansing the lower back, local anesthetic to numb the injection site, physician-guided placement of a needle into the epidural space, and slow injection of an anesthetic mixture. A catheter may be used if needed. The pain-numbing sensation typically begins within twenty minutes, and the numbed region depends on the injection location and amount of anesthesia used.