Are you thinking about getting a lumbar epidural steroid injection? This type of injection is used to reduce pain and inflammation in the lower back caused by compressed nerve roots, herniated discs, spinal stenosis or bone spurs. Steroid injections provide fast pain relief and are generally very safe, but only some people benefit.

To help determine if this type of steroid injection is right for you, schedule an appointment with a pain management doctor near you. You  can find out if you are a candidate and what type of improvement you will see.

What Does an Epidural Steroid Injection Contain?

There are different types of steroid injections, and a lumbar epidural injection is designed for lower back pain. It contains a corticosteroid and an anesthetic numbing agent. The medications are delivered into the epidural space of the spine, or the area between the vertebrae and the bursa sac.

When delivered into the painful area, steroid injections reduce pain and inflammation. Unfortunately, it does not “fix” the problem. It’s also difficult to say how long the injection will last. Some people experience pain relief for years, while others get several weeks or months.

What Happens During a Lumbar Epidural Injection?

Lumbar epidural injections are performed primarily in the pain management office in NJ . The procedure lasts about 15-45 minutes and requires a short recovery period. We recommend that our clients rest for the remainder of the day after receiving the injection. Fortunately, epidural steroid injections are very safe.

Here is what you can expect from the procedure:

•   Preparation. Continue your normal medications, except for blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications. When you come in, we’ll put you on an IV and give you medications to relax.
•   X-Rays. The doctor uses a fluoroscope (a video x-ray device) to guide the needle into the epidural space. That’s the space around your inflamed nerve. The doctor may inject contrast dye to make sure the needle is in the right place.
•   Numbing agent. A numbing agent is administered to make the lower back feel numb.
•   Epidural. A needle is inserted through the skin, towards the spine. Once in the proper position, the steroid injection is administered. The needle is removed and the injection site is bandaged.
•   Monitor. We monitor clients for about one hour after receiving the injection. It’s normal to have some drowsiness, numbness or tingling for the rest of the day, but they will wear off. Epidural steroid injections are also very safe with few complications.

If you think that you can benefit from a lumbar epidural steroid injection to help with lower back pain, contact Jersey Rehab today – we have four convenient locations! Our chronic pain management doctors have experience with many types of steroid injections.