A caudal epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection of medicine – typically a steroid – that is directed to the lower part of your back in order to reduce inflammation and decrease low back pain. The nerves that run through your spine connect to your legs and this is the target for the injection. If these nerves become inflamed, you may experience low back pain and/or leg pain. Injecting medicine around these nerves can decrease this pain.
Information on Caudal Epidural Injection
During a caudal epidural steroid injection you will lie face down on an X-ray table. The targeted area will be sterilized in order to reduce the possibility of infection.
A pain management specialist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around your lower back. This typically stings for 2-5 seconds. The specialist will then use a needle to access the cervical epidural space using X-ray guidance.
Once the needle is in place, contrast material is used to confirm the location around the inflamed nerves. Once this is determined, your provider will slowly inject medicine to the targeted area.
A caudal ESI is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. After the injection is performed, you will be monitored in a recovery bay for approximately 30 minutes. There, your vital signs will be assessed by a nurse and your pain relief will be documented.
If a side effect from the procedure is seen, a certified medical professional will be on hand to address the issue. If there are no complications after the procedure, discharge instructions will be given to you and you will be asked to keep a record of your pain relief for the next several days.
- If you are taking a blood thinning medication, please ask the physician who prescribed the medication for directions on stopping it prior to scheduling the procedure.
- Please tell the doctor or staff about any allergies you have including medications, seafood, shellfish, latex, or x-ray dyes.
- Please arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. You may be given a mildly sedating medication, and it will be unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day.
Caudal ESIs are generally very safe injections. There are small risks which include pain around the injection site, bleeding, and infection. The most commonly reported event after a caudal ESI is soreness around the injection site.
Because steroid medication is used, you may also experience flushed skin, insomnia, or a few days of increased blood sugar. Be sure to monitor your blood sugar after this injection if you are diabetic or take insulin.
Some people experience significant pain relief after only one injection. If you still have pain, your doctor may order an additional injection to increase the effects.
These injections typically occur two to four weeks apart. For some people, a caudal injection may provide permanent pain relief. Others may need steroid injections a few times a year.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
A caudal epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection of medicine – typically a steroid – that is directed to the lower part of your back in order to reduce inflammation and decrease low back pain. The nerves that run through your spine connect to your legs and this is the target for the injection. If these nerves become inflamed, you may experience low back pain and/or leg pain. Injecting medicine around these nerves can decrease this pain.
Information on Caudal Epidural Injection
During a caudal epidural steroid injection you will lie face down on an X-ray table. The targeted area will be sterilized in order to reduce the possibility of infection.
A pain management specialist will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area around your lower back. This typically stings for 2-5 seconds. The specialist will then use a needle to access the cervical epidural space using X-ray guidance.
Once the needle is in place, contrast material is used to confirm the location around the inflamed nerves. Once this is determined, your provider will slowly inject medicine to the targeted area.
A caudal ESI is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. After the injection is performed, you will be monitored in a recovery bay for approximately 30 minutes. There, your vital signs will be assessed by a nurse and your pain relief will be documented.
If a side effect from the procedure is seen, a certified medical professional will be on hand to address the issue. If there are no complications after the procedure, discharge instructions will be given to you and you will be asked to keep a record of your pain relief for the next several days.
- If you are taking a blood thinning medication, please ask the physician who prescribed the medication for directions on stopping it prior to scheduling the procedure.
- Please tell the doctor or staff about any allergies you have including medications, seafood, shellfish, latex, or x-ray dyes.
- Please arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. You may be given a mildly sedating medication, and it will be unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day.
Caudal ESIs are generally very safe injections. There are small risks which include pain around the injection site, bleeding, and infection. The most commonly reported event after a caudal ESI is soreness around the injection site.
Because steroid medication is used, you may also experience flushed skin, insomnia, or a few days of increased blood sugar. Be sure to monitor your blood sugar after this injection if you are diabetic or take insulin.
Some people experience significant pain relief after only one injection. If you still have pain, your doctor may order an additional injection to increase the effects.
These injections typically occur two to four weeks apart. For some people, a caudal injection may provide permanent pain relief. Others may need steroid injections a few times a year.
The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.
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