Epidural Steroid Injection

An epidural steroid injection, or block, is a non-surgical pain management treatment that delivers a local anesthetic directly into the spine at the source of the pain. The epidural steroid injection reduces inflammation in the spine which helps alleviate pain, and can be used to treat a number of conditions including herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

It should be noted that an epidural steroid injection is often used to reduce pain so that the patient can participate in rehabilitation or physical therapy, and the response to the injection seems to improve when given alongside therapeutic exercise.

During an epidural steroid injection, X-ray guidance is used to ensure proper placement of the local anesthetic in the epidural space (between the vertebrae and the spinal cord). The skin is numbed with lidocaine before the epidural injection is placed. A solution of lidocaine or saline may be used to flush inflammatory proteins away from the source of the pain. Normally, the procedure does not cause discomfort. Sedatives may be available to alleviate anxiety, though they are rarely necessary.

Typically, the procedure should only last about 30 minutes or less, and then the patient will recover under supervision for about 45 minutes. If a sedative is given, the recovery period will be longer. Upon returning home, patients may be asked to limit activity for the rest of the day of the injection and wait until the next day to resume normal daily routines. The epidural steroid injection may be repeated up to three times in a six-month period, if needed.