Epidural Steroid Injections
You don’t have to live with back, arm, leg or neck pain caused by chronically inflamed nerves in your spine. Relief from this approach can last for months. We use epidural steroid injections (ESIs) to safely deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of your pain in the spine in order to bring relief that can last for months.
What happens during an epidural steroid injection?
An Epidural Steroid Injection, or an ESI, is a minimally invasive procedure that involves your provider inserting a needle into the spinal canal, called the epidural space, to provide pain relief and decrease inflammation in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral areas of the spine.
ESIs typically involve two medications: an anesthetic to reduce pain and a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. This procedure can be done using various approaches, such as transforaminal, interlaminar or caudal. Your provider determines the specific approach used to give you the best pain relief possible. At Altus, we have more than 20 years of experience providing ESIs using a gentle, compassionate approach that minimizes discomfort while targeting areas where maximum pain relief can be achieved.
What conditions does an ESI treat?
Epidural steroid injections are a powerful, minimally-invasive, tool for treating a wide variety of conditions that lead to inflamed nerves in the spine and resulting pain anywhere in the body. Here are some of the common conditions we see respond to ESI:
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common to have questions about your procedure. If these answers are not sufficient, we are always happy to talk in more detail. Just reach out!
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Are epidural spinal injections painful?
While the injection may cause some discomfort, local anesthesia is administered to numb the skin. You may feel pressure during the procedure but should not experience significant pain. We check in with you throughout the procedure to ensure your comfort.
- How long does the pain relief from epidural spinal injections last?
The duration of pain relief varies from person to person. Some individuals experience immediate relief, while others may require multiple injections for sustained effects. The benefits can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. We will monitor your progress and schedule you for further injections as needed.
- How soon can I resume normal activities after an epidural spinal injection?
The duration of pain relief varies from person to person. Some individuals experience immediate relief, while others may require multiple injections for sustained effects. The benefits can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. We will monitor your progress and schedule you for further injections as needed.
- What are the potential side effects or risks of epidural spinal injections?
Common side effects include temporary increases in blood sugar, facial flushing, and insomnia. Serious complications are rare but may include infection, bleeding, or nerve damage. We will help you navigate any side effects that occur – You are NOT alone in this process!
- Can anyone receive epidural spinal injections?
Many people can benefit from ESIs! However, pregnant women, individuals with certain infections, or those allergic to the injected medications may not be suitable candidates. We will evaluate the suitability of this treatment for you during your initial consultation.
- Are there alternatives to epidural spinal injections for managing spinal pain?
Yes, alternatives exist, and we offer many of them! Physical therapy, oral medications, and lifestyle modifications are some options. We make sure that the treatment plan you experience fits your specific needs – And if one approach doesn’t work, we have many others from which to choose!
See Other Treatments
Interventional pain management involves procedures target and treat the source of pain directly, providing relief without relying solely on medications. This helps to address the root cause of pain with effective and personalized solutions that go beyond traditional pain relief methods.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Precision-focused injections to reduce inflammation and manage pain associated with spinal conditions.
Transforaminal Injections
Targeted injections to relieve pain by directly addressing affected nerve roots.
Nerve Blocks
Expertly administered injections to disrupt pain signals from specific nerves, providing effective relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation Procedure
Minimally invasive, out-patient procedure, in which your provider places specialized needles over the affected nerves.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
Cutting-edge technology to modulate pain signals and enhance overall spinal function.
Regenerative Medicine Procedures
Revolutionary regenerative medicine to stimulate natural healing and tissue repair.
Vertebral Augmentation
Heal fractured vertebrae using Vertebral Augmentation, a category of procedures used to create a cast using bone cement to increase height of vertebrae and provide pain relief.