Is a cortisone injections the same as epidural steroid injection?

NO: Cortisone injections may be given for many reasons; tendinitis/bursitis, arthritis of joints, rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Esi, although a corticosteroid injection, is a specific treatment for spinal disorders, especially radicular pain from herniated discs. There are those who use it for spinal stenosis, but the efficacy has not been proven.

Yes: Cortisone is a kind of steroid (and there are many different preparations) and is often used to describe the injection.

Terminology: As previously explained , steroids are used in esi and joint, tendon, bursar, trigger points, etc, the qualifying difference is the specific terminology. When explaining to patients the nature of their spinal treatment, most specialists will inform a patient that they will have an esi & then tell them the material used. But when injecting the areas above, they simply call it a cortisone shot.

Well: Technically no difference, they are probably the same. However, if the cortisone injection is not done under an x-ray machine (fluoroscopic c-arm) then it could be that the cortisone injection may be just that an injection into the muscle like a trigger point injection. Speak with your doctor to get clarity about what you will be getting.