Neck and lower back pain are not only common musculoskeletal disorders they are one of the most common health problems in the US. Injections of steroids into the epidural space have been used to treat pain since 1952.

Protruding discs in the spine can press on nerves, causing sciatica, a shooting or burning pain down the leg. Inflammation around the disc and nerve root increase this pressure and pain. Steroid medications have a potent anti-inflammatory effect to relieve pain. While steroids can be taken orally, it is safer and more effective to deliver the medicine directly where it is needed, via injection.

Epidural steroid injection is preceded by numbing the skin with local anesthetic. The entire injection procedure takes about 20 minutes. Injections may provide permanent relief, or may provide several months of pain relief while the injury or cause of pain is healing.

Patients seem to have a better response when injections are coupled with an organized therapeutic exercise program. Importantly, epidural injection can provide sufficient pain relief to allow the patient to progress with their rehabilitation program.

Common side effects after epidural injection include nausea, headache, and a temporary increase in pain. Very rare side effects include spinal infection (0.1% of all injections), bleeding, allergic reactions, and extremely rarely, nerve root injury.

Epidural steroid injections have been demonstrated to be quite safe. Epidurals are successful in relieving pain in 65% to75% of patients.