The epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure done in our facility’s ambulatory surgery center under strict sterile conditions.
A protective covering called the dural sac surrounds the spinal cord. This sac contains spinal fluid that bathes and nourishes the spinal cord. The space between the outer surface of the dural sac and the bones of the spinal column is the epidural space. Nerves that go from the spinal cord through the spinal column and to the body pass through the epidural space. Depending on the location of your pain, the epidural steroid injection can be given in the neck (cervical), middle back (thoracic) or lower back (lumbar).
Procedure Overview
The epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure done in our facility’s ambulatory surgery center under strict sterile conditions. For your safety and comfort, the doctor may decide to connect you to monitoring equipment (EKG monitor, blood pressure cuff and a blood-oxygen monitoring device). You will be positioned on your stomach and the doctor will inject some numbing medicine. After the numbing medicine takes effect, the doctor will insert a needle with the assistance of a special X-ray machine called a fluoroscope and inject a radiopaque dye (contrast solution) to confirm that the needle is in the correct place. With the needle in position, the doctor will inject a mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory medicine (cortisone/steroid). It is possible you will feel pain similar to your normal back pain as the medicine is injected. This is a good sign and means the medicine is going to the right place. The pain usually disappears quickly. After the procedure, we ask that you remain at the clinic until the doctor feels you are ready to leave.
After the Procedure
You may experience some weakness and/or numbness in your legs (lumbar injection), arms (cervical injection), or chest wall (thoracic injection) for a few hours after the procedure. If so, do not engage in any activities that require lifting, balance or coordination. If the doctor prescribes physical therapy, it is very important that you continue with the physical therapy program. Although you may feel much better immediately after the injection (because of the numbing medicine), there is a possibility your pain may return within a few hours. It sometimes takes a few days for the steroid medication to start working. You can watch the procedure explained here: nazspineandpain.com/epidural-steroid-injections. QCBN
By Dorian Lange
Dorian Lange, CEO, Northern Arizona Pain Institutes, is responsible for the management, administration and business development for multi-disciplinary specialty clinics throughout central Arizona that provide integrative treatment protocols for pain management, physical and rehabilitative medicine. Lange developed the initial business plan and implemented the strategic planning from startup to a multi-million-dollar medical specialty organization. Learn more at https://northernarizonapaininstitutes.com/health-care-team/.