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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
Dr. Karen Sibertanswered
Anesthesiology 41 years experience
It varies!: An epidural injection may be performed anywhere along the full length of the spine. It will usually be placed near the source of the pain or numbness: in the upper spine for neck pain, or the lower spine for back pain. In a pain clinic, sedation will sometimes be given to help with any discomfort. X-ray may be used for very precise positioning of the needle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Rosenthalanswered
Pain Management 38 years experience
See below: The patient is positioned on a procedure table with a machine called a c-arm over them. Then the doctor uses fluoroscopic imaging to guide a needle to a specific target within the spine. Once the target is acquired, contrast dye is used to confirm correct needle placement, then local anesthetic and steroid are deposited on the inflamed nerve.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Qamar Khananswered
Pain Management 19 years experience
Under Xray Guidance: Most trained physicians perform these under Flouroscopic X-ray equipment to guide them correctly and safely to the epidural space. The older technique is still used without x-ray guidance only for those patients having a baby, getting a surgery or needing a catheter placement for infusion of anesthetic in the hospital. This older technique is not recommended for a steroid based injection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Jenkinsanswered
Specializes in Anesthesiology
You might: be sedated, but your back will be cleansed and a sterile drape with a hole placed. Local anesthetic will be injected with a fine needle before the larger epidural needle is inserted. The epidural needle is inserted until the tip is in the epidural space. Then the steroid is injected possibly with small amount of local anesthetic. Then you go home and wait for results.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
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 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 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
Last updated Jun 24, 2014
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