Epidural Steroid Injections: Understanding Pain Relief and Effects

An epidural steroid injection is often used to treat pain in the back. This may be due to spinal nerve irritation or an inflamed vertebral disc. The steroids in these injections are anti-inflammatory medications that may give temporary relief from back pain.

Identification

• An epidural steroid injection bathes the nerve roots in anti-inflammatory medication. This may help to decrease the irritation of the nerve roots and decrease pain.

Potential

• Epidural steroid injections may be used to treat patients who suffer from nerve compression or radiculopathy (pain that radiates away from the spine).

Benefits

• Epidural steroid injections contain high powered anti-inflammatory medications. This medication may help to reduce pain and inflammation, when injected near the nerve roots.

Side Effects

• Some of the side effects that can occur with epidural steroid use are infection at the injection site, a reaction to the corticosteroid used, and injury to the surrounding tissues.

Considerations

• Epidural steroid injections may help to decrease pain and inflammation in the back. There may be some risk of side effects associated with this treatment. It is important to discuss these risks with your health care provider.