If you have back pain that spreads down your leg, the shots may provide short-term pain relief. But that may be enough time for your back to heal so that pain doesn't return. The shots may delay or avoid surgery. The medicine won't fix your back.
Your pain might get worse before it gets better. The most common side effect is a headache that lasts a few days. Other side effects, such as fever, pain, or infection, can occur. If you don't have back pain that spreads down your leg, the shots probably won't help at all. Don't try epidural steroid shots Don't try epidural steroid shots You try other treatments such as medicines, exercise, and physical therapy to manage pain and help your back heal. Your pain might go away after you try other treatments.
You avoid the cost of epidural steroid shots. You avoid the risks of epidural steroid shots. There are no risks to trying exercises and physical therapy. Some medicines you take for pain may have side effects. Personal stories about considering epidural steroid shots These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to have epidural steroid shots Reasons not to have epidural steroid shots.
I'm not worried about the side effects. I've already tried other treatments. I haven't tried other treatments. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Getting epidural steroid shots NOT getting epidural steroid shots. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's wrong. The shots probably won't help at all if you have general back pain. No That's right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Key points to remember. Yes You're right. The shots may relieve pain and swelling for a short time.
On average, the shots wear off after about 3 months. No Sorry, that's wrong. The shots may delay surgery by reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms. No Sorry, that's not right. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others.
I want to learn more about my options. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Which way you're leaning. How sure you are. Your comments. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. Armon C, et al.
Assessment: Use of epidural steroid injections to treat radicular lumbosacral pain. Neurology, 68 10 : — Dixit R, et al. Low back pain. In GS Firestein et al. Philadelphia: Saunders. Arden NK, et al. A multicentre randomized controlled trial of epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica: The WEST study.
S 3. Chang, Douglas, Zlomislic, Vinko. Chapter Lumbar Spinal Injections. In: Chapman, Michael W. Chapman's Orthopaedic Surgery. Hassan KZ, Sherman Al. Epidural Steroids. Epidural injections in prevention of surgery for spinal pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The Spine Journal. Diagnostic and therapeutic spinal interventions: Epidural injections. Neurol Clin Pract. Safety of Epidural Corticosteroid Injections. Drugs R D. Pandey RA. J Clin Diagn Res. Effectiveness of therapeutic lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections in managing lumbar spinal pain.
Pain Physician. Treatment of acute sciatica with transforaminal epidural corticosteroids and local anesthetic: design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. Editor's Top Picks. Health Information Sponsored. Specifically, those with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, herniated disc, degenerative disc, or sciatica. The drugs are delivered into the epidural space of the spine, which is the area between the bony vertebra and the protective dura sac surrounding the spinal nerves and cord.
Unfortunately, the injection does not make a herniated disc smaller; it only works on the spinal nerves by flushing away the proteins that cause swelling. The pain relief can last from days to years, allowing your spinal condition to improve with physical therapy and an exercise program. Be prepared to ask any questions at this appointment. Discuss any medications with your doctors, including the one who prescribed the medication and the doctor who will perform the injection.
Make arrangements to have someone drive you to and from the center the day of the injection. Patients that are extremely anxious about the procedure may receive conscious sedation administered by a qualified anesthesiologist.
The potential risks associated with inserting the needle include spinal headache from a dural puncture, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, and nerve damage. Any numbness or mild muscle weakness usually resolves within 8 hours in the affected arm or leg similar to the facial numbness experienced after dental work. Patients may experience mild discomfort but should not experience severe pain during the procedure. If a patient does not receive adequate pain relief from an epidural steroid injection, surgery may be an alternative.
In general, it is considered reasonable to perform up to three epidurals within a 6-month period of time. In certain cases, a 4th epidural can be performed in the following 6 months.
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