How much pain is involved with getting epidural steroid injections?

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

Minimal: Typically, the initial numbing medication can burn a little. The actual injection into the epidural space should be relatively painless.

Minimal: Everybody has a different tolerance for pain. Epidurals should not be horribly painful. If done with sedation patients often don't recall the epidural at all. Without sedation patients will feel a little stick and a burn usually followed by some pressure. Certain types of epidurals known as transforaminal epidurals may cause pain to temporarily radiate down the leg during the epidural.

Expect an Injection: Epidural injections are common and if you have had any type of injection it should not be much different. The local anesthetic to numb the skin typically burns abit. Your doctor should be using fluoroscopic x-ray guidance to do this injection. Occasionally, you may feel back pain or a nerve pain sensation as the needle is placed appropriately and medication is instilled into your spine.

Actually minimal: Of course, there will be some local pain when needle inserted, but often, these are done under sedation. Typically, very little residual symptoms, and if done under appropriate circumstances, can turn problems around.