Do you have a lot of neck or back pain? An epidural steroid injection might help. It’s a shot that can make you feel better for weeks or months. At Summit Orthopedics, our back, neck and spine specialists perform these injections at our clinics throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, helping you enjoy life with less pain.
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection (also called an ESI injection) is a treatment that delivers medicine into the epidural space of your spine. This space surrounds the spinal cord and contains blood vessels and soft tissues. The medicine works by reducing swelling and calming pain around your nerves. These shots can be used to help with pain in your neck, middle back or lower back.
While these shots can help reduce pain, they don’t fix what’s causing it. Most people find that relief lasts for less than a year. If needed, you may be able to get up to four shots a year.
How These Shots Can Help
Epidural steroid injections can make you feel much better. You might have less back or neck pain. When you hurt less, you can do more at home and work and enjoy your favorite activities.
Here are some other benefits of these shots:
- They can help medical providers find out what’s causing your pain. If your pain improves after the shot, it may mean it was coming from that spot.
- You might not need surgery. If the shot helps, you might not need an operation.
Who May Need an Epidural Steroid Injection
You might get an epidural steroid injection if other treatments haven’t worked. Your medical provider might first suggest things like physical therapy or medications.
These shots can help relieve pain from:
What to Expect
To get ready for an epidural steroid injection, you may need to stop some medicines. The shot itself takes only a few minutes. Afterward, you’ll rest a little before going home.
Getting Ready
- Get someone to drive you to and from the procedure center.
- Tell your care team about any medicines you take, especially blood thinners.
- Tell them about any allergies you have.
- If you’re sick, tell your care team so you can reschedule.
If you will get medicine to help you relax (sedation), you can’t eat solid foods for six hours before the shot. You can drink clear liquids, but stop them two hours before.
During the Procedure
You’ll lie face down on the table, and a nurse will clean the skin where the shot will go. They will numb the area with a local anesthetic.
Here’s what happens during the epidural steroid injection procedure:
- The doctor uses a special X-ray called fluoroscopy to see inside your back and find the best spot for the needle to go near your spinal cord.
- They use the X-ray to guide the needle. Then, they use dye to make sure the medicine goes to the right place.
- Next, the doctor injects the steroid medicine. You might feel a little push or a burning sensation. After the shot, they’ll clean and cover the spot.
After the Procedure
You’ll rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before going home.
What Are the Side Effects of Epidural Steroid Injections?
Epidural steroid injection side effects usually aren’t serious. Some that may occur include:
- Allergic reactions to the anesthetic, steroid or contrast dye
- A temporary increase in blood pressure and eye pressure if you have glaucoma
- A temporary rise in blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Bruising or tenderness at the injection site
- Difficulty sleeping
- Facial flushing
- Fluid retention
- Headache
- Injury to a blood vessel
- Leakage of spinal fluid
- Low-grade fever
- Temporary changes to a woman’s period, such as an irregular cycle
Recovering From Your Injection
These tips can help you feel better after your shot:
- Rest and only do light activities for the rest of the day.
- Put ice on the spot for 15 minutes a few times a day if it’s sore.
- Don’t soak in a bathtub for 24 hours. Showering is OK.
- Drink lots of water and take medicine for a headache if you get one.
- Watch for signs of infection, like redness or swelling, in the days after the injection. Tell your care team about any unusual symptoms.
Don’t worry if your pain doesn’t get better right away. The medicine might take up to two weeks to work fully. Once it does, the pain relief can last weeks to months.
Epidural Steroid Injection at Summit Orthopedics
At Summit Orthopedics, we take a nonsurgical approach to help with pain first. In fact, nearly 90% of our spine patients see their pain decrease with injections and other treatments that aren’t surgery. Our spine specialists are ready to help you move past the pain that holds you back.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics back, neck and spine care expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
