Epidural Steroid Injections

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Epidural steroid injections are one of the treatment options for back, neck, arm and leg pain. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can help to get relief from arm, neck, back, and leg pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves due to herniated discs and spinal stenosis. Epidural steroid injections are anti-inflammatory medicines that reduces inflammation around the nerves. Local anesthetic agents are always injected along with the steroids for a quicker pain relief. The basic goals of epidural steroid injections are to control pain caused by the inflammation in and around the nerve roots and improve mobility and functionality in the lower leg and back.

Need of Epidural Steroid injection

Epidural steroid injection provides relief from any intense arm, or leg pain caused by inflamed spinal nerves. This inflammation of spinal nerves is due to the narrowing of the spinal cord passage, most of the times. A number of conditions may lead to this inflammation like herniated discs, slipped vertebrae, joint cysts, bone spurs, and spinal arthritis. Injected steroids may reduce inflammation thereby reducing the pain.

The treatment procedure for Epidural Steroid injection

This is a simple procedure in which an X-ray machine is used to examine the spine and the neural foramen position. After targeting the exact location with the help of X-ray, contrast dye is injected to make sure that the medicine will be injected in the right place. Then the surgeon will inject a mixture of steroid and local anesthetic drugs around the nerve.
Once the procedure is done, the patient is allowed to go home. The patient will be allowed to resume back all the normal activities the next day.

Potential advantages of the Epidural Steroid injection

There are many advantages and benefits of Epidural Steroid injection during acute leg/ back pain. 

  • Reduce nerve pain and inflammation
  • Limit oral medication
  • Avoid or in some cases postpone the need for surgery
  • Better quality of life and enhanced normal activities
  • Minimally invasive procedure.
  • Quick recovery after the procedure.
Several techniques may be used to consider an epidural steroid injection depending on the condition, the patient’s needs, and the doctor’s experience and preferences. 

Risks and complications of Epidural steroid injection

Epidural steroid injections are safe and minimally invasive. Some complications of these injections may include-
  • Post-injection pain
  • Nerve damage
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea 
  • Anxiety
  • Bleeding
  • Headaches due to spinal fluid leakage
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Steroid flush or flushing of face or chest and enhanced temperature for several days.  
These complications may be temporary and can get resolved in a few minutes or hours. Some other rare complications may include spinal cord damage, dural puncture, or/and stroke.

If you have been experiencing chronic pain in your back or neck, then consult a Neurosurgeon  for further evaluation and get appropriate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory corticosteroids directly into the epidural space around the spinal nerves. This reduces nerve inflammation and swelling, providing relief from radicular (leg/arm) pain caused by disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or spondylosis. Relief can last weeks to months and may facilitate physiotherapy participation.

Most patients receive up to 3 injections per year. Pain relief duration varies from a few weeks to several months. Repeated injections are not recommended indefinitely due to the systemic effects of corticosteroids. They are most effective as part of a multimodal pain management plan that includes physiotherapy.

Yes, epidural steroid injections are available in Abu Dhabi under image guidance (fluoroscopy). Risks are generally low but include temporary increased pain, headache (if dural puncture occurs), infection, and transient blood sugar elevation in diabetic patients. The procedure is performed as an outpatient in 15–30 minutes.