top of page

What are Epidural Steroid Injections?

Epidural Steroid Injections (or ESIs) are used to treat certain types of low back pain and neck pain.  Epidural steroid injections involve the administration of a mixture of local anesthetic and a corticosteroid medication "cortisone" directly into the epidural space of the spine. The epidural space is the outermost part of the spinal canal, housing nerves and nerve roots. By delivering medication to this area, ESIs aim to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica.

What do Epidural Steroid Injections Treat?

  • Herniated Discs: ESIs can help reduce inflammation around the affected nerve roots, alleviating pain and discomfort associated with herniated discs.

  • Spinal Stenosis:  For patients with spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves, ESIs can provide relief by reducing inflammation and swelling.

  • Sciatica: Pain caused by an irritated nerve root of the spine pain, characterized by radiating pain down the buttocks and legs from the low back, or onto the shoulders, upper back, or arms and hands, can be effectively managed with ESIs, targeting the inflamed nerve roots causing discomfort.

What to Expect During Epidural Steroid Injection

What are the potential benefits of epidural steroid injections?  

  • Pain Relief: epidural steroid injections can provide significant pain relief, allowing patients to resume normal activities and improve their overall quality of life.  Epidural steroid injections can treat back pain and neck pain, as well as the pain from nerve irritation.

  

  • Non-Surgical Option: As a minimally invasive procedure, epidural steroid injections offer a non-surgical option for managing chronic back and leg pain.

  

  • Improved Functionality: By reducing inflammation and pain, epidural steroid injections can improve mobility and function, enabling patients to more fully engage in daily activities.

​​

What are the risks of epidural steroid injections?

As with most procedures, there is rare risk of bleeding, infection, nerve injury or allergic reaction to the medications used.  Some short-term side effects may occur.

​

  • As we are putting medications near the nerves, you may have weakness or numbness that can last for several hours. If this happens you may have to stay in the Pain Management Center until this resolves.

​​

  • You may have increased pain for a few days after the injection, including localized pain at the injection site.

​​

  • People with diabetes may have short-term elevation of blood sugars.

​​

The procedure cannot be performed if you have an active infection, flu, cold, fever, or very high blood pressure. For your safety, please make your doctor aware of any of these conditions.

 

Will the injection hurt a lot?

Most people say the stinging/burning of the numbing medicine is the most uncomfortable part of the procedure, although every person's response to any procedure is individual.  There can be some temporary pain when the medications are injected into the epidural space which may radiate into arms or legs, this is normal and caused by the medication putting pressure on nerves as it is injected

​

What happens during the actual procedure?

After you sign a consent form and your blood pressure is checked,

  • the procedure will be done in the fluoroscopy (x-ray) room with you lying on your stomach.

​

  • The back or neck is then cleansed with an antiseptic solution and sterile drapes are placed.

​

  • The skin is anesthetized (numbed) with a local anesthetic. This is felt as a stinging or burning sensation.

​

  • Using x-ray guidance, a needle is then advanced into the epidural space.  Once the needles are in the proper location, steroid is injected through the needle, and the needle is removed.

​

  • This may be repeated at more than one location, depending on the source of the pain.

​

  • It is common to feel pressure or discomfort in the arms or legs as the medicine goes into the epidural space.

​​

  • Your skin will be cleansed and bandages will be applied. The bandages can be removed on the next morning. Your blood pressure will be checked, and you will be able to leave with your ride after the doctor authorizes your discharge.

​​

How will I feel after the injection?

Your back pain or nerve pain may be improved immediately after the injection from the local anesthetic. Some local tenderness may be experienced for a couple of days after the injection. Using an ice pack three to four times a day for twenty minutes at a time will help this. 

​

Will I have any restrictions on the day of the procedure?​ 

  • You should not drive for the remainder of the day after your procedure. An adult must be present to drive you home or to go with you in a taxi or on public transportation.

​

  • For your safety, the procedure will be cancelled if you do not have a responsible adult with you.

​

  • No heat is to be used in the injected areas for the remainder of the day. 

​

  • You may eat, drink and take your medications as usual on the day of the procedure (both before and after).

 

Please follow these instructions unless told differently by your doctor.

For what reasons should I call after the injection?If you experience severe back pain, new numbness or weakness of your legs, or signs of infection in the area of the injection, you should call the office.

bottom of page