In-depth information and illustrations about epidural steroid injections and how the epidural injections are used to treat low back pain, sciatica and chronic pain
Epidural steroid injections for low
back pain and sciatica
November 1999 (updated
July 17, 2007)
An epidural injection is effective in significantly reducing back pain and/or
leg pain for approximately 50% of patients. During the epidural steroid injection,
sometimes a flushing solution is also used to help "flush out" inflammatory
proteins from around the area that may be the source of pain. Read about the
benefits and potential risks of an epidural steroid injection, when it's typically
recommended, and how it's performed. Read more...
By: Rick Staehler, MD
Sciatica
treatments
March 30, 2000 (updated September
22, 2006)
Most cases of sciatica heal on their own within 6 to 12 weeks. There are several
conservative care options for helping alleviate the pain and discomfort associated
with sciatica, including heat/ice, medications, and epidural steroid injections.
For more severe cases of sciatica, surgery may be considered. Read
more...
By: Stephen H. Hochschuler, MD
Cervical, thoracic and
lumbar interlaminar epidural injections
September 10, 2004
An epidural injection delivers steroids into the epidural space around spinal
nerve roots to relieve back pain, leg pain, or other pain caused by irritated
spinal nerves. The steroid used in the injection reduces the inflammation of
those nerves, which is often the source of the pain. Read
more...
By: Ray Baker, MD
Injections
September 8, 1999 (updated March 29, 2000)
An injection, such as an epidural steroid injection for back pain or leg pain,
is typically considered after other more conservative treatments (such as medications,
physical therapy) but before surgery. There are five types of injections that
are relatively common. Read
more...
By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
Epidural
steroid injections
October 1999
The most commonly performed injection for pain relief in the low back is an
epidural steroid injection. An epidural injection is generally successful
in relieving lower back pain for approximately 50% of patients. While the effects
of an epidural steroid injection tend to be temporary (one week to one year),
an epidural can be very beneficial in providing relief for patients during
an episode of severe back pain. Read
more...
Epidural
steroid injection animated presentation
Epidural
steroid injections are a conservative treatment
for low back pack pain or leg pain relief. This
module takes you step by step through an epidural steroid
injection. View
animation...
Perspectives on pain management - Spine-health.com Newsletter
Careful attention to pain management and working with a pain management specialist are critical components of your recovery from neck pain, back pain and back problems. This newsletter offers tips for reducing stress, understanding the complexity of chronic pain and identifying different types of back pain and neck pain, as well as trying treatments like epidural steroid injections. Read more…
Please note that these additional patient resources(such asThe Back-to-Back Forum and Newsletters)on Spine-health.com are not peer-reviewed by the Spine-health.com Medical Advisory Board. They are provided as additional resources for patients to learn from the experiences of others and to gain information from our popular newsletters.
