Epidural steroid injections provide diagnostic data and pain relief by delivering local anesthetic (numbing medication) and anti-inflammatory steroid medications into the spinal area on the surface of the spinal column. This procedure may reduce inflammation, resulting in long-term pain relief, and it can provide valuable information on the source of your pain.

Procedure Preparation

There is very little preparation needed for this procedure. In fact, you may decide to go-ahead with this procedure during your initial consultation at our Midtown Manhattan outpatient clinic. The procedure will be fully explained to you before you decide to proceed.

Please bring any previous imaging study results (MRI, CT, x-rays) such as films, reports, or CD-ROMs to your initial appointment. If you do not have current images, we may refer you to have them done prior to the procedure.

If you come by car, you will need a driver to take you home after your appointment. You will be able to go home unaccompanied via subway or taxi.

Please notify our physician if you are nursing or if there is a chance you may be pregnant.

Please be prepared to discuss any medications that you are currently on with our physician, or bring your medication bottles with you to your appointment.

During the Procedure

Using a thin needle and x-ray-guidance (fluoroscopy), a physician will inject contrast (x-ray dye) into or adjacent to the epidural space thought to be causing your pain. This will ensure correct placement of the needle for the procedure.

Additional x-rays will be taken to ensure the accurate delivery of a combination of an anti-inflammatory and anesthetic medication injected for pain relief.

You will remain awake during the 10-20 minute procedure, and you may experience some slight pressure or discomfort during the injection.

Please inform your physician of any feeling that differs from your usual symptoms.

You will be asked to wait 30-40 minutes after your procedure before leaving.

After the Procedure

There is very little recovery time after this procedure. Many patients return to work the same day.

You may experience numbness from your symptoms for up to six hours after the injection.

Your usual symptoms may then return and may possibly be worse than usual for a day or two.

The beneficial effects of the steroids usually require 2-3 days to be effective; in some cases it may take as long as 5-7 days. If there is no change in your symptoms after a week, consult with your doctor to investigate other possible causes of your pain.

If an initial injection provided a certain amount of relief, a second injection might strengthen the pain relief effect (known as “stacking”). Some patients have relief in the first few weeks, but if the pain returns in the following weeks and months, additional injections will increase your pain relief.

Keep track of how long your relief lasts and report it to your physician. If there is no change in the pain, then we can investigate other possible sources of your pain. The effects of the treatment are an important part of determining the problem and planning future treatment programs.

Possible side effects

Although side effects from this procedure are rare, our physician will review any possibilities with you before your procedure. Possible side effects include facial flushing, occasional low-grade fevers, hiccups, insomnia, headaches, water retention, increased appetite, increased heart rate, and abdominal cramping or bloating. These side effects occur in less than 5% of patients and usually disappear within 1-3 days after the injection. If you experience any side effects, please feel free to contact us at any time.