Epidural Steroid Injections

What is an Epidural Steroid Injection?

An Epidural Steroid Injection is a type of minimally invasive procedure that is done to help relieve pain and symptoms of nerve irritation and inflammation. This procedure can be helpful for a variety of conditions, including ‘pinched nerve’ from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis and degenerative osteoarthritis.

How does an Epidural Steroid Injection Relieve Pain?

Epidural steroid injections works by placing medication called a steroid along with an anesthetic medicine onto the affected nerve root. Steroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine which reduces inflammation around nerve roots. The anesthetic medicine works to give relief of pain on the day of the injection while the steroid can take anywhere from a few hours to up to one week to begin to take effect. The injection may provide permanent relief or provide a period of pain relief for several months while the injury or cause of the pain is healing. Studies have shown that in certain cases more than one injection is necessary to treat the painful symptoms.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The procedure is performed using an X-Ray machine. This enables the doctor to see your spine and make sure the medicine is going in the right place. The procedure is done with the patient laying on a procedure table. After numbing the area of skin with anesthetic medication the physician will perform the procedure. The procedure is minimally invasive and usually takes between 15-20 minutes to complete.

What Happens After the Procedure?

After the procedure the patient is brought to the recovery area and monitored for a short period of time to make sure that they are safe to leave. The anesthetic medicine may make you feel some numbness or weakness. This is expected and will wear off within a short period of time. For patient safety and the safety of others a designated driver must accompany the patient and be responsible for getting them home. Patients may return to their normal activities the day after the procedure, including returning to work.

Where is the Procedure Done?

At Oasis Interventional Spine Care all procedures are performed at the Jefferson Blue Bell Surgery Center located at 518 East Township Line Road, Suite #120, Blue Bell, PA 19422 or Chestnut Hill Hospital (Tower Health), which is located at 8835 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118.