Epidural Steroid Injection

How do epidural steroid injections work?

Epidural steroid injections provide immediate delivery of steroid medications to the epidural space in your spine. Your epidural space is full of blood vessels and covers your dural sac, which surrounds your spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, and nerve roots.

Epidural steroid injections are usually a blend of a local anesthetic and cortisone (or steroid). Saline is also a standard ingredient; it is used as a flushing agent and to dilute the medications.

Epidural steroid injections work by reducing inflammation. Inflammation places undue pressure on the nerves and tissues of your spine, creating pain.

When that pressure is relieved, you experience pain relief. Dr. Kline often uses epidural steroid injections in conjunction with other pain management efforts.

What portions of the spine are treated with epidural steroid injections?

Epidural steroid injections offer pain management in four areas: the lower back (lumbar), neck (cervical), mid spine (thoracic), and arms.

These are some common conditions in each area that respond well to epidural steroid injections:

Lumbar

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Compression fractures
• Annular tear
• Cysts

Cervical

• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis
• Pinched nerves
• Radiating arm pain

Thoracic

• Herniated disc
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Pinched nerve

What are the side effects associated with epidural steroid injections?

All spinal injections carry risks, but epidural steroid injections have a low rate of side effects. When a highly trained and experienced doctor like Dr. Kline performs these procedures, your chance of side effects is even lower.

Potential side effects include:

• Dural puncture (can cause headaches, but they can be relieved through a simple procedure)
• Infection (occurs in only 0.1% to 0.01% of people who have had an injection)
• Bleeding (rare, and occurs more often in patients with bleeding disorders)
• Nerve damage (extremely rare)

To find out if epidural steroid injections can help relieve your back, leg, neck, or radiating arm pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kline today.