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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Your doctor will give you an epidural steroid injection to reduce inflammation in your spine, reducing pain and allowing time for your condition to heal. The spine consists of bony vertebrae stacked one on the other, shock-absorbing intervertebral disks lying between the vertebrae, ligaments and muscles connecting the bones, and the spinal cord with its branching spinal nerves. The spinal cord is bathed in cerebrospinal fluid and surrounded by a protective membrane called the dura. Just outside this membrane is the epidural space. Each intervertebral disk consists of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a spongy inner material called the nucleus pulposus. From aging or injury, the annulus fibrosus may weaken or degenerate. As a result, the disk may bulge into the surrounding neural and vascular structures, causing inflammation and pain. If the annulus completely breaks down, the nucleus may ooze through, causing a disk herniation. The resulting inflammation and swelling may irritate one of the spinal nerves nearby, resulting in a condition known as radiculopathy. Disk herniations in the lower or lumbar region of the back tend to produce shooting pain down the leg, a condition known as sciatica. If a disk herniates in the neck, the pain radiates into the arm. Another condition that can cause pain and inflammation in the area of the spinal nerves is osteoarthritis, which may cause excess bone growth at the joints of the spine, resulting in compression of the nearby spinal nerves. An epidural steroid injection is a minimally-invasive procedure. To begin, your doctor will numb the skin on your back with a local anesthetic. Using an x-ray image for guidance, your doctor will insert a needle between the bones and through the ligaments of your spine until it reaches the epidural space at the level of the inflammation. Once the needle has been inserted into the epidural space, your doctor will inject a steroid solution. After your procedure, you may apply ice to the injection area for pain relief and take over-the-counter pain medications. You may be able to resume driving after 24 hours.
"Medical Legal Art wins our firm's highest accolades for professionalism and
exhibit quality. In fact, many of the doctors I work with request color
copies of your outstanding artwork to show to patients during the informed
consent process."
Jeanne Dolan, BSRN, AlNC Legal Nurse Consultant Golden Valley, MN
"I have found that the personalized medical illustrations prepared by Medical
Legal Art have been very accurate and helpful. The medical doctors, both
treating physicians and expert witnesses, have commented on the accuracy and
professionalism of the medical illustrations. Most importantly, your prompt
service and attention upon even short notice has been tremendous. I can
certainly say that the medical illustrations prepared by Medical Legal Art
have assisted us in bringing cases to a successful resolution."
Paul L. Redfearn
The Redfearn Law Firm, P.C.
Kansas City, MO
"I have a medical illustration created by Medical Legal Art at the beginning
of every case to tell the client's story, usually before I depose the
defendant doctor. The work product and cost-efficiency are outstanding. It
is a situation where, as a trial lawyer, I don't leave home without it."
Rockne Onstad
Attorney at Law
Austin, TX
"I just wanted to let you know that after several days on trial, I settled
[my client's] construction accident case for $4.5 million. Immediately after
the jury was discharged, I spoke with several jurors who told me that they
really appreciated the medical illustrations for their clarity in dealing
with [my client's] devastating injuries. They also expressed their gratitude
in being able to read from a distance all of the notations without
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Michael Gunzburg, Esq.
Attorney at Law.
New York, NY
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
