A thoracic epidural steroid injection (thoracic ESI) is an injection of medicine, typically a steroid, into the epidural space around the spinal nerves in your mid to upper back.

These nerves can become pinched or inflamed which may lead to mid or upper back pain and possible pain to the chest region. This injection directs steroid medication to the source of the irritated nerves that are causing pain and work to reduce swelling and pressure on these nerves. The steroid allows the nerves time to heal and often leads to temporary pain relief.

Information on Thoracic Epidural Injections

During a thoracic 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 mid to upper back. This typically stings for 2-5 seconds. The specialist will then use a needle to access the thoracic 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 region.

A thoracic 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 mildly sedating medication, and it will be unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day.

Thoracic ESIs are generally safe injections. There are small risks which include: pain around the injection site, bleeding, and infection. Other risks include lightheadedness due to low blood pressure or a severe headache caused by spinal fluid leakage. If either of these symptoms is noted after the procedure, please seek advice from a medical expert. The most commonly reported event after a thoracic 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. Epidural steroid injections start working within two to seven days. Pain relief can last several days to a few months or longer. These injections can be performed upward to a few times a year if inflammation around the spinal nerves continues to occur.

The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.

A thoracic epidural steroid injection (thoracic ESI) is an injection of medicine, typically a steroid, into the epidural space around the spinal nerves in your mid to upper back.

These nerves can become pinched or inflamed which may lead to mid or upper back pain and possible pain to the chest region. This injection directs steroid medication to the source of the irritated nerves that are causing pain and work to reduce swelling and pressure on these nerves. The steroid allows the nerves time to heal and often leads to temporary pain relief.

Information on Thoracic Epidural Injections

During a thoracic 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 mid to upper back. This typically stings for 2-5 seconds. The specialist will then use a needle to access the thoracic 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 region.

A thoracic 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 mildly sedating medication, and it will be unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery until the following day.

Thoracic ESIs are generally safe injections. There are small risks which include: pain around the injection site, bleeding, and infection. Other risks include lightheadedness due to low blood pressure or a severe headache caused by spinal fluid leakage. If either of these symptoms is noted after the procedure, please seek advice from a medical expert. The most commonly reported event after a thoracic 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. Epidural steroid injections start working within two to seven days. Pain relief can last several days to a few months or longer. These injections can be performed upward to a few times a year if inflammation around the spinal nerves continues to occur.

The above information is for general education purposes only. Please ask your doctor specific questions during your visit.

Expert Physicians

Precision Spine Care combines the expertise of fellowship-trained spine surgeons, non-surgical spine MDs and interventional pain specialists.

Find a Location

Precision Spine Care offers appointments in multiple convenient locations across East Texas and North Texas.

The treatment you need, all in one place.

Conditions

A multidisciplinary care management approach for a wide range of conditions of the neck and back.

Treatments

We provide a comprehensive treatment plan including non-surgical, surgical, and injection options.

Doctors

Our team of expert spine and pain specialists are all conveniently located under one roof.

Your pain doesn’t wait, so why should you?

Precision Spine Care
will see you today!

Precision Spine Care will see you today!

No matter where it hurts or why it hurts, there’s no reason to suffer. All it takes is a phone call to the medical professionals at Precision Spine Care. We will get you in fast!