Purpose of Epidural Steroid Injections
If you are suffering from back, neck, arm, or leg pain then irritated and inflamed spinal nerves may be the culprit. In these cases, an epidural steroid injection can provide long-term pain relief.
In this simple procedure, we inject a steroid and a local anesthetic directly around the irritated nerves where they are irritated in your spine. Many patients feel significant relief after one injection, though some patients require more injections to experience complete relief.
ESI injections can also help with spinal stenosis, sciatica, and pain caused by bone spurs compressing spinal nerves.
Careful Administration of ESI
Each time I deliver an epidural steroid injection I use image guidance. Fluoroscopy, or a “live x-ray,” allows me virtually to reduce side effects and risk factors simply by giving me the information I need to deliver the injection as precisely as possible.
Usually, my office will follow up with you in about a week to verify the pain is gone. Keep in mind that it can take a little time for the steroids to begin working – sometimes as little as 24 hours, sometimes as many as 72.
Contact Our Office
If you are in pain, contact our office. This tried-and-true procedure may well be the one that restores your quality of life by allowing you to sit and stand normally once more.
About the Author: Phil Rozek
