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The epidural space is located above the outer layer of tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots. The corticosteroid is injected into the epidural space, directly onto the compressed nerve root.

The purpose of epidural steroid injection is to reduce inflammation associated with nerve irritation. Corticosteroids have been shown to be effective in pain reduction for patients with radiculopathy, and efficacy is increased when ESI is used in the first weeks following the onset of pain.

When you arrive at the medical center, a nurse will discuss the procedure and have you sign a consent form. Be sure to notify the Los Angeles pain management doctor in advance of all medications you are taking, as blood-thinning drugs must be held for several days.

You should not eat or drink after midnight, but are permitted to have small sips of water to take usual medications. The nurse will place an IV catheter in your arm in case you are to receive a sedative or other medications.

With the epidural steroid injection, you will be positioned on your stomach, and a nurse will attach monitoring devices to assess you oxygen level, pulse rate, and blood pressure. Your back is cleansed with an antiseptic solution, and the outer skin and tissues is numbed with a local anesthetic.

To ensure proper needle placement of the corticosteroid substance, the doctor uses x-ray guidance. The steroid is injected into the epidural space, and sometimes, a long-acting anesthetic is added.

Once the needle is removed, and a bandage applied, a nurse will monitor your condition for approximately 30 minutes. You are not permitted to drive following the ESI and should rest the remainder of the day. Use an ice pack to alleviate any soreness you experience.

ESIs may be given by anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, interventional radiologists, and neurologists. However, many other physicians are trained to perform this procedure.

In a recent study, the documented success rate of ESI was 89%. Researchers remark that epidural steroid injections are a safe alternative to surgery, and many episodes of acute lumbar back pain resolve with this treatment option.