Epidural steroid injection: Benefits, risks, results, and more

An epidural steroid injection is a nonsurgical procedure that provides pain relief. A doctor will inject steroids into the epidural space to reduce inflammation due to certain spinal conditions.

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) delivers steroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal cord.

They may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain from certain conditions affecting the spinal nerves, including herniated discs, spondylosis, or spinal stenosis.

This article looks at what an ESI procedure involves, which conditions it may help, its potential benefits and risks, and recovery from an ESI.

An ESI is a nonsurgical treatment for pain relief. It can help treat lower back pain that radiates to the lower body and sometimes neck pain that may radiate down to the arms.

A doctor will inject a steroid, which aims to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, into the epidural space. The epidural space is an area of fat and blood vessels within the spinal canal. It surrounds the spinal cord and protects the spinal cord and spinal nerves from damage.

An ESI may help people return to their everyday activities or physical therapy. The procedure may offer short- or long-term benefits.

People may be suitable candidates for ESIs if they have inflammation of the spinal nerves. This can cause lower back pain, which can radiate down through the legs, or neck pain, which can radiate to the arms.

Certain conditions, such as spinal stenosis, may cause the nerve passages to become narrower, which can cause pain and lead to inflammation of the spinal nerves.

People who may be unsuitable candidates for an ESI include those with:

ESIs may be a suitable treatment option for people with nerve root pain due to the following conditions:

A team of healthcare professionals will be involved in providing an ESI. These may include:

ESI is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning people will only need to be in the healthcare facility for the length of the procedure. Therefore, they can return home after the injection.

Before an ESI procedure, the following may happen:

To carry out an ESI, a doctor may do the following:

Depending on the condition, there are different types of ESI:

People will be able to return home after the completed procedure. They will usually be able to resume everyday activities the following day. Individuals will also need to follow any aftercare instructions from a healthcare professional.

People may begin to feel the benefits of an ESI within 1–3 days or a week.

If side effects occur after an ESI, they may include:

Rare bleeding complications include:

There is some research that suggests that ESIs may cause bone loss and increase the risk of fractures, although researchers need further evidence to confirm these findings.

An ESI may result in several months of improved function and pain relief. If an ESI effectively improves symptoms, people may have a repeat procedure as the effects wear off. If the procedure does not provide pain relief, it may indicate that another issue is causing symptoms.

An ESI can be a safe and effective form of pain relief for many conditions affecting the spinal nerves. Although the technique is not a cure, it may help relieve pain and improve quality of life.

The duration and level of pain relief may vary for each person, depending on their individual condition. Other steps may help alongside an ESI to manage chronic pain conditions, such as:

An ESI may help relieve pain and reduce inflammation in certain conditions affecting the spinal nerves, such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, or sciatica.

A doctor will inject a steroid into the epidural space to relieve inflammation and pressure on the spinal nerves.

An ESI is an outpatient procedure, so people will be able to return home afterward. They will usually be able to return to typical activities the following day. Individuals may begin to feel the benefits of an ESI in the days following the procedure.

An ESI may help improve pain and function for weeks or months. People may be able to have a repeat procedure when the effects wear off.