Epidural steroid injections are one of the most widely used and effective non-surgical treatments for managing spine-related pain. If you’re dealing with persistent back, neck, or leg pain, your pain specialist may recommend this option to reduce inflammation and improve your quality of life. Here’s what you should know before deciding whether an epidural steroid injection is right for you.
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection delivers a combination of anti-inflammatory medication (usually a corticosteroid) and a local anesthetic directly into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal nerves. By placing the medication at the source of inflammation and nerve irritation, the injection can significantly reduce pain and swelling.
Epidural steroid injections can be performed in the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), or lumbar (lower back) regions depending on where your symptoms originate.
What Conditions Can Epidural Steroid Injections Help?
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica or radiculopathy
- Post-surgical inflammation
- Facet or nerve root irritation
If inflammation around a spinal nerve is the source of your pain, an epidural steroid injection may offer meaningful relief.
How the Procedure Works
Epidural steroid injections are minimally invasive and typically take less than 15 minutes.
- Positioning and numbing – You’ll lie face-down, and the skin is cleaned and numbed.
- Imaging guidance – Your specialist uses fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to guide the needle with precision.
- Medication delivery – The steroid and anesthetic are injected into the epidural space.
- Recovery – Most patients return to normal activities the next day.
Because the injection is image-guided, it allows for accuracy and safety while ensuring the medication reaches the inflamed nerve.
What to Expect After the Injection
Pain relief varies from person to person. Some feel improvement within hours thanks to the anesthetic, while others notice benefits over a few days as the steroid begins to work. Relief can last anywhere from several weeks to several months.
You may experience temporary numbness, soreness at the injection site, or increased pain for a day or two. These effects usually resolve quickly.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
- Reduces inflammation at the pain source
- Improves mobility and function
- Helps avoid or delay surgery
- Complements physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Minimally invasive with little downtime
Are There Risks?
Epidural injections are considered safe when performed by a trained pain specialist. Still, risks include:
- Temporary pain flare
- Headache
- Infection (rare)
- Bleeding
- Nerve irritation
When to Consider an Epidural Steroid Injection
You may benefit from an epidural steroid injection if:
- You’ve had persistent back, neck, or nerve pain for more than a few weeks
- Conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medications haven’t provided enough relief
- Pain is affecting your ability to sit, stand, walk, or sleep
- You have radiating arm or leg pain from nerve compression
These injections can offer short-term relief that allows patients to participate more fully in physical therapy and daily activities.
Finding Long-Term Relief
While epidural steroid injections can be highly effective, they’re typically just one part of a comprehensive care plan. Your pain specialist may recommend a combination of therapy, lifestyle modifications, medications, and interventional treatments depending on your individual needs.
