Epidural Blood Patch Treatments

An Epidural Blood Patch is a nonsurgical procedure performed by the region’s leading pain management experts at Nassau Anesthesia Associates, P.C., a medical group affiliated with Winthrop-University Hospital on Long Island, NY. This treatment is used to seal puncture sites in the spine resulting from spinal injections.

In addition to providing anesthesia care for patients before, during, and after surgery, Nassau Anesthesia Associates has anesthesiologists with advanced training in the field of pain management. We utilize the most advanced nonsurgical techniques for treating acute and chronic pain that hasn’t responded to more conservative treatments.

The spinal cord and nerves exist within a sack of clear fluid. The area outside of the sack is referred to as the epidural space. Sometimes, as a result of spinal injections, fluid can leak out of the sack into the epidural space. The epidural blood patch treatment consists of injecting your own blood into the epidural space in the spine to stop spinal fluid leakage.

Conditions Treated with Epidural Blood Patch Injections

The most common symptom of a spinal fluid leak is a “spinal headache.” This type of headache is painful and persistent, and will not go away on its own. The only way to relieve this pain is with an epidural blood patch treatment.

Spinal fluid leaks can result from various diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections, including:

Epidural Steroid Injections
Selective Nerve Root Blocks
Facet Joint Blocks
Medial Branch Nerve Injections
Facet Rhizotomy
Sacroiliac Joint Blocks

What to Expect

  • Prior to the epidural blood patch treatment, your doctor will provide a thorough physical exam, gather medical history and explain the benefits and risks of the procedure.

  • You may be required to stop eating and drinking up to six hours before the procedure, and you will need to arrange a ride home after the treatment is complete.

  • During the epidural blood patch procedure, two IVs are inserted in your arms, one for anesthesia and sedatives, and the other for drawing blood.

  • Once you are lying face down on the table, your back will be washed and sanitized.

  • An x-ray is used to help the doctor guide the small needle to the area where the fluid is leaking. Contrast dye is injected, a small amount of blood is drawn, and the blood is injected into the area of the spine to stop the leak. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.

Meet our Elite Team of Anesthesiologists and Pain Management Specialists

The highly skilled anesthesiologists at Nassau Anesthesia Associates, P.C. have several additional years of anesthesia specialty training such as cardiac, pediatric, or intensive care medicine.

Our affiliation with renowned Winthrop-University Hospital provides our patients with complete access to Winthrop’s vast resources including physicians and state-of-the-art operating rooms and facilities.

The Winthrop-University Hospital Advantage

Nassau Anesthesia Associates’ affiliation with renowned Winthrop-University Hospital provides our patients with complete access to Winthrop’s vast resources including physicians and state-of-the-art operating rooms and facilities.