Question 1

what are epidural steroid injections used to treat?

Accepted Answer

Spine-related pain: There are many indicated uses for these injections. Generally, they are used for radicular pain (that is, arm or leg pain) from a cervical or lumbar disc herniation, arthritis or stenosis. A physician specializing in Pain Medicine or Physiatrist usually administers these injections under X-ray guidance.

Question 2

what are the common risks of epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

Rare: In the hands of someone experienced epidural injections are very safe. They are done often under light sedation and utilize x-ray for proper placement.  Most common risks are dural puncture leading to a leak of cerebrospinal fluid. This can lead to headaches. Once recognized there are ways to treat this.  Other risks are injection site pain, infection and bleeding.

Question 3

what are some long term effects of epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

Several: Multiple epidural steroid injections over the long term can result in:
1. Scar tissue surrounding the nerve sac (the dura) which can sometimes lead to spinal fluid leak with headaches
2. Higher risk of infection, bleeding
3. Avascular necrosis of the hips (the hip bone loses blood supply which can lead to premature arthritis)
4. Increased blood sugar (especially in diabetics).

Question 4

will i fail a drug test after getting epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

No: If the only ingredient in your injection is a steroid, it should not have any effect on a routine drug test.

Question 5

for what length of time do side effects of epidural steroid injections last?

Accepted Answer

Vary...: Epidural steroid injection is usually given with mixing some local anesthetics as a part of pain management for spinal disorders. How long the post-injection soreness may last may highly vary depending on the pace of local tissue healing process. Personal experience may help such understanding, but the course of post-injection sore still varies from time to time.

Ask your doctor for detailing...

Question 6

what are some of the rare side effects of epidural steroid injections that last more than 10months?

Accepted Answer

None: Consider yourself fortunately that it gives you good relief for that long.

Question 7

when do you need epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

Failed other options: Epidurals are often used to help relieve pain from an inflammed disc or pinched nerve.  These may be used to relieve back pain after a conservative trial of medication, physical therapy, and rest.

Question 8

do epidural steroid injections cause you to gain weight?

Accepted Answer

No: That is not a usual side efffect.

Question 9

when do people generally get epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

Pain and labor: An epidural is a procedure to gain access to a space that surrounds the nerves and even spinal cord in the spine.  The space is then injected with different medications that can range from anesthetics to steroids.  For chronic pain management steroids are often used.  For labor and acute post op pain anesthetics are often used.

Question 10

how much pain is involved with getting epidural steroid injections?

Accepted Answer

No to minimal pain.: If done properly there should be no pain during and after procedure.

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