Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) can be used to treat many types of neck and arm pain or lower back and leg pain, including sciatica, as a result of nerve root impingement.  Though the injections alone may relieve the pain, a rehabilitation program may be used to compliment the injections. These injections often reverse the inflammation resulting from impingement, allowing the body to heal.  If the injections are proven effective, they can be used several times per year.

What is injected?

The injected medication is usually a fluid consisting of contrast visible under x-ray, steroid, local anesthetic and/or saline.  The patient is monitored for 15-20 minutes after the injection and should restrain from exertional activities for the remainder of the day. The injection itself is minimally uncomfortable, but having it performed under sedation is an option.

Conditions most commonly relieved by ESIs:

• Lumbar disc herniation
• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Cysts on the facet joint or nerve root
• Compression fractures of the vertebra