Epidural Steroid Injection Specialist

What is an epidural steroid injection?

Epidural steroid injections contain a corticosteroid together with a local anesthetic. Your provider injects the medications near the spinal nerves in the epidural space, a fat-filled area that runs between the spinal cord and vertebrae.

When the medications enter the epidural area, they flow around the nerves, allowing the steroids to reach several nerves. 

Steroids need a few days to take effect, but then they reduce inflammation and provide long-lasting pain relief. The anesthetic quickly eases your pain but doesn't last long.

When would I need an epidural steroid injection?

Innovative Pain Specialists may recommend an epidural steroid injection when inflamed spinal nerves cause pain in your neck, back, arms, and legs. You may benefit from this treatment if you have:

• Herniated discs
• Bulging discs
• Facet joint arthritis
• Sciatica
• Bone spurs
• Thickened ligaments
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc disease

You may also have irritated spinal nerves after sustaining a back injury.

What happens during an epidural steroid injection?

Innovative Pain Specialists can administer an epidural injection at any part of your spine, targeting the nerves responsible for your pain.

You lay down on a specialized table that creates X-ray images in real-time, a procedure called fluoroscopy. The X-rays allow your provider to precisely guide the needle, ensuring accuracy and optimal results.

Your provider applies a local anesthetic and inserts a thin needle into the epidural space near the inflamed nerves. They inject a dye and watch the X-ray to see how it spreads through the epidural space, verifying it reaches the targeted nerves; then, they inject the medication and remove the needle.

What happens after an epidural injection?

You can walk around as soon as your provider finishes the injection. However, you stay in the office for a time so they can monitor your health and be sure you don't have any side effects. Most patients take it easy for the rest of the day and go back to work or their other normal activities the next day.

How long does an epidural steroid injection last?

Each person metabolizes medications differently, so the extent and duration of pain relief varies. Most people get pain relief lasting 3-6 months or longer; however, some patients don't respond as well. If you experience mild symptom improvement, your provider may recommend another injection to give you better results.

To learn if an epidural injection can relieve your back pain, call Innovative Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.