Epidural Steroid Injections

What is an epidural steroid injection?

An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to deliver an anti-inflammatory medication to an area of your spine causing you pain. The pain could be caused by a pinched nerve, bulging of a disc, or narrowing of your spinal canal. This medication, along with physical therapy, will likely help you with the pain and discomfort you are experiencing.

Click here to learn more about epidural steroid injections from Dr. Baxi.

During the Procedure

Epidural injections are minimally invasive, outpatient procedures. There is no hospital stay required.

  • You will lie down on the procedure table and the skin on your neck or back will be cleaned.

  • Your doctor will use real-time imaging to guide the needle to the affected area.

  • A small amount of numbing medication will be injected to minimize discomfort during the procedure.

  • The steroid medication is then injected in the area around the irritated nerve.

  • You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort, but the procedure is generally well tolerated.

  • The needle is removed and a small bandage is placed over the injection site.

Depending on the area, post injections last around 15-30 minutes. You will be monitored briefly before going home.

Post Procedure

You may have some soreness at the injection site for a few days after the procedure. This is normal and will resolve in a day or two.

  • Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or soaking in a bath or pool for 24-48 hours following the procedure.

  • You may resume normal activities the day after the procedure unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

Steroids often take several days to start working. Most people feel full benefit 1-2 weeks after the procedure.

When to call your doctor

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following after the procedure

  • Fever or chills

  • Severe or worsening pain

  • New weakness or numbness in your arms or legs

  • Difficulty with bowel or bladder control

  • Redness, swelling, or drainage at the injection site

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In an epidural steroid injection, your legs may feel temporarily heavy or numb due to the medication used. This is temporary, but your doctor may recommend that you have someone drive you home on the day of the procedure. If you need to drive yourself, discuss with your doctor to see if it is safe.

  • Usually, it is not advisable to travel the day after an injection in case you need to get in contact with your doctor. After a couple of days, it is safe to travel.

  • You can return to your normal exercise routine and physical therapy after 1 to 2 days.

  • No injection is pain free, but often patients say that it is not as painful as they were expecting. Your doctor will use local anesthetic, or numbing medicine, to make it as comfortable as possible.

  • Sometimes people feel better after one injection, but sometimes it may take additional injections to get full pain relief. Generally, injections are just one part of the treatment plan and they are combined with physical therapy, medication, activity modifications, and other strategies to achieve full pain relief.

  • If you are feeling anxious about the procedure, discuss this with your doctor before the day of the procedure. Oftentimes medication can be prescribed to help ease your nerves.