What is it?
Epidural steroid injections have been found to be an effective, practical, and safe treatment for patients who are suffering from neck, are, back and leg pain. Commonly, nerve roots are compressed by a bulging disc, bone spur or scar tissue. This causes the nerve to become irritated, inflamed, and swollen thus causing pain. The injection contains a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and its action is to decrease the swelling and inflammation around the nerve, thereby breaking the cycle of swelling, irritation and pain.

The injection
The injection is performed with the guidance of x-ray to provide proper placement of medication. In most cases there is no need for sedation; however, if you seem very nervous the nurses will start an IV and give sedation. You will be lying on your belly with a pillow under your pelvis or sitting at the edge of the table. The site of injection will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Under x-ray guidance and through the numbed area the medication will be delivered to the appropriate nerve by the physician. This is usually a short outpatient procedure; however, you will need to be monitored by the nurses afterwards for approximately 30 minutes before being released.

After the injection
There are not many restrictions following this procedure. You should take it easy the day of the injection, but by the following day you can resume your normal activities. Applying ice to the injected area will help reduce any swelling and/ or irritation that may have been caused from the injection. Following up with your physician 2 weeks following the injection is recommended to assist in your treatment plan. If you are diabetic, monitor your blood sugar as it may elevate for up to 7 days following the procedure. Please consult with your primary care physician regarding this.