Conditions an Epidural Steroid Injection Treats

Epidural steroid injections help with back, neck, arm and leg pain that comes from an irritated or compressed spinal nerve. They are commonly used for:

• Sciatica: Sharp pain that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and leg, which an epidural for sciatica can help quiet
• Herniated Disc: When the soft center of a disc pushes through its outer wall and presses on a nearby nerve
• Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal that leaves less room for the nerves
• Radiculopathy: A pinched nerve in either the lower back or the neck, which in the neck is called cervical radiculopathy and can spread pain into the shoulder, arm and hand
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Wear in the discs that leads to inflammation around the nerve roots

When the pain is in the neck, a steroid injection in the cervical spine works the same way, calming inflamed nerve roots that send pain into the neck, shoulders and arms.

Types of Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are grouped in two ways: by where along the spine they are given and by the path the needle takes to reach the epidural space. Your Resurgens physician chooses the approach that best fits the location and cause of your pain.

By region, injections are given in the neck (cervical), the mid-back (thoracic), the lower back (lumbar) or at the very base of the spine near the tailbone (caudal). By approach, there are two main paths:

• Transforaminal Injection: A highly targeted approach in which the needle follows the opening where a single nerve root exits the spine, placing medication right beside that one irritated nerve, which suits focal pain and radiating symptoms like sciatica
• Interlaminar Injection: A broader approach in which the needle passes between two of the bony plates, called laminae, at the back of the spine to reach the epidural space and spread medication over a wider area, which suits more generalized pain from conditions like spinal stenosis or a herniated disc

A caudal injection enters through a small opening at the base of the spine and is often chosen for lower back pain or for patients whose anatomy has been changed by previous surgery. Resurgens offers each of these as an individual procedure, including the lumbar epidural steroid injection, lumbar transforaminal injection, caudal injection, cervical epidural steroid injection and cervical transforaminal injection.

What to Expect and How to Prepare

An epidural steroid injection is a quick outpatient procedure. You lie on a table while your Resurgens physician numbs the skin with a local anesthetic, then uses X-ray guidance called fluoroscopy to place the needle precisely and deliver the medication. The injection itself takes only a few minutes, and most people go home shortly afterward.

Please Note: Tell your physician ahead of time if you are or might be pregnant, since the procedure uses X-ray imaging, and share a full list of your medications, including any herbs, supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Your care team will give you specific instructions to follow before the appointment.

How Long Relief Lasts and How Many Are Safe

Relief varies from person to person. Some people feel better within a few days, and the injections can improve pain and function for several months or longer. For a recent disc herniation that responds well, a single injection may be enough for some people. For longer lasting or recurring pain, relief often holds for a few months at a time.

Because the risk of side effects increases with the number of steroid injections, injections are spaced out and usually limited to a few a year. When pain returns, your physician can repeat the injection within those limits, often as part of a plan that also includes physical therapy.

Risks and What to Watch For

Epidural steroid injections are generally considered safe, and most side effects are mild and short-lived. You may have some soreness at the injection site, minor bleeding, temporary numbness, a short-term rise in blood pressure or a headache in the days afterward. Serious problems are rare but can include infection, bleeding or nerve damage. Your Resurgens physician will review the risks with you and explain what to watch for after the procedure.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If back or neck pain is affecting your life, help is within reach. Book an appointment online today with Resurgens Orthopaedics or call us at (404) 847-9999.

FAQ

Is an epidural steroid injection the same as a cortisone shot? They are closely related. The medication used is a corticosteroid, the same family as a cortisone shot, placed into the epidural space around an inflamed spinal nerve.

Does an epidural steroid injection hurt? The skin is numbed first, so most people feel pressure more than pain. Mild soreness for a day or two afterward is normal.

How soon will I feel relief? Some people notice a difference within a few days, though it can take up to a week or two as the steroid reduces inflammation.