A 44-year-old member asked:
What is an epidural steroid injection like?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mitchell Zeitleranswered
Anesthesiology 41 years experience
Not bad: If you can relax and allow the person doing the procedure walk you through what he/she is doing, then it will be over before you know it.
Local anesthetic is injected into the skin with a small needle and then another needle is placed into the epidural space so that anti-inflammatory drug (steroid) is placed near the site causing the nerve root irritation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
19 years experience
Short and safe: An epidural steroid injection is a relatively quick outpatient procedure that can be done under local anesthesia and light sedation. The patient like on their stomach while the nurse applies antiseptic to the back. Under fluoroscopic imaging, the pain doctor places a needle in the epidural space. Once proper placement is confirmed with contrast dye, the steroid is injected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Stan Leeanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 25 years experience
Small But Real Risk: Epidural injections are typically very routine, injections done under x-ray guidance without anesthetic. However, they are not without risk (i.e. Recent meningitis outbreak). Research shows that esis are effective only for a pinched nerve from herniated disk and correlating symptoms. Absent of both these conditions, there is not proven benefit>inherent risks. Esis have become highly overutilized.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Qamar Khananswered
Pain Management 19 years experience
Like Any Other Inj: The worse part of an epidural injection is typically the local anesthetic administered to numb the skin. After that the needle typically feels like pressure. However as the needle enters the spinal canal or around the nerve root there can be some pain that is transient. Complications can be bleeding, infection, nerve damage and paralysis, but these are extremely rare.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 34-year-old member asked:
Who should get an epidural steroid injection?
4 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Richard Guyeranswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 48 years experience
Primary for leg pain: They are used primary used when there is a pinched nerve in the back that is causing leg pain, ie sciatica.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
How dangerous is an epidural steroid injection?
6 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. William Newtonanswered
Pain Management 21 years experience
Very safe: In the right hands by a well qualified pain management physician these injections have a very low complication rate. There is always a risk. If done without sedation, under fluoroscopic guidance and with the appropriate steroids the risks are very low.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between epidural cortisone injections and epidural steroid injection?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Will Mooreheadanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 54 years experience
None: Cortisone is a corticosteriod, but is no commonly used in esi treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 53-year-old member asked:
How much steroid is used in an epidural steroid injection?
4 doctor answers • 16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Bolestaanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 42 years experience
Depends: An exact answer is not possible. There are many types of steroids, and the dosage will vary depending on the exact type of injection (there are different approaches to the nerves and the sac containing them). The part of the spine treated influences the choice of drug and amount too.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 39-year-old member asked:
How is an epidural steroid injection typically performed?
5 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jonathan Hydeanswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 31 years experience
Carefully: There are different ways to perform an epidural injection. The most common way is with a loss of resistance technique, in which an epidural needle is slowly forwarded into the epidural space while a column of air is gently pushed via syringe. Once the air passes freely, the epidural space is felt to be verified. Fluoroscope imaging can be used for full verification.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 28, 2018
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$44 video appointments with $19/month membership*
*Billed $57 every 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
