Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Epidural steroid injections or ESIs have been a common treatment for many types of lower back pain. They have been in use since 1952 and are still considered an important part of the non-surgical treatment of back pain. Research shows that 80% of lumbar disc herniation patients who were given Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections experienced relief.

The main objective of Lumbar ESIs is to provide pain relief. The effects of the injection are temporary and can last from as little as one week and up to one year. They can be very useful for patients suffering from acute lower back pain. Most importantly, Lumbar ESIs can help provide the much-needed relief that enables the individual to proceed with rehabilitative exercise and stretching programs. This helps to work at the root cause of the pain, without excessive discomfort.

A number of common conditions that lead to severe acute or chronic back pain can be treated with the help of Lumbar ESIs.

• Degenerative Disc Disease: This is a condition where a collapse of disc space impinges on the nerves present in the lower back.
• Compression Fractures: Especially those in the vertebra.
• Lumbar Disc Herniation: This is caused when the nucleus of a disc pushes through the annulus or the outer ring and goes into the spinal canal, where it exerts pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.
• Annular Tear: This is caused by a tear in the outer layer of the disc.

The pain control and relief, provided by Lumbar ESIs, can significantly improve the individual’s quality of life and mental health, while reducing dependency on painkillers. They can also delay the need for surgery.