An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat spinal nerve irritation that is most often caused by tissues next to the nerve pressing against it. The beginning of the nerve (nerve root) may be irritated by a bulging disc, disc contents (“ruptured disc”) or bone spur, directly touching the spinal nerve.

An ESI is the delivery of powerful anti-inflammatory medicine (corticosteroids) directly into the space outside of the sac of fluid around your spinal cord. This area is called the epidural space.

Epidural Steroid Injection – Caudal

A caudal epidural steroid injection is an injection into the lowest portion of the epidural space located at the base of the sacrum. A caudal steroid injection can help reduce lower back and leg pain caused by sciatica, herniated discs, bone spurs or other back problems.

A steroid medication can help reduce the inflammation and alleviate the pain. It’s injected into your back, into the area between the membrane that contains the spinal fluid (the dura) and the thickest ligament between your vertebra. The caudal canal is below the lower end of the spinal cord.

Epidural Steroid Injection – Cervical

A cervical epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive treatment method for pain in the neck and the upper region of the back. Upper back and neck pain reportedly affects 50-80% of adults at some point in their lives. There are numerous conditions that may cause neck and upper back pain such as cervical radiculitis, spinal stenosis, herniated disc, strained muscles, and

Epidural Steroid Injection – Lumbar

Lumbar epidural steroid injections are a minimally invasive form of treatment for lower back pain and sciatic or lower extremity radicular pain. This technique was first introduced during the 1950s as a novel treatment for lumbar back pain and sciatic nerve pain.

The purpose of epidural steroid injections is to administer medication (corticosteroid) to irritated or inflamed nerves in order to decrease inflammation. The medication is a combination of a saline, and/or anesthetic medication and steroids.

Epidural Steroid Injection – Lumbar Transforaminal

Lumbar epidural steroid injections are a minimally invasive form of treatment for lower back pain and sciatic or lower extremity radicular pain. This technique was first introduced during the 1950s as a novel treatment for lumbar back pain and sciatic nerve pain.

The purpose of epidural steroid injections is to administer medication (corticosteroid) to irritated or inflamed nerves in order to decrease inflammation.

The medication is a combination of a saline, and/or anesthetic medication and steroids

During a transforaminal injection, a small-gauge blunt needle is inserted into the epidural space through the bony opening of the exiting nerve .

The needle is smaller in size than that used during a conventional (interlaminar) epidural approach. The procedure is performed with the patient lying on their belly using fluoroscopic (real-time x-ray) guidance, which helps to prevent injury to the nerve root. A radiopaque dye is injected to enhance the fluoroscopic images and to confirm that the needle is properly placed.

This technique allows the corticosteroid medicine to be placed closer to the irritated nerve root than using the conventional interlaminar epidural approach.

Indications include disc herniations, foraminal stenosis, and lateral disc herniations. Patients with disc herniations and leg pain in most of the studies attained maximal improvement in 6 weeks. Long-term success rates for transforaminal epidural glucocorticoid injections ranged from 70% to 85%

Epidural Steroid Injection – Thoracic

A thoracic epidural injection is a minimally invasive procedure that temporarily helps ease pain in the thoracic region. That’s the upper to middle part of your back. Medicine is injected into an area around your spinal cord. This area is known as the epidural space.

If you have middle or upper back pain, your healthcare provider may first suggest more conservative treatments.

These include diet, appropriate exercise, and physical therapy. If these treatments don’t work, a thoracic epidural injection might be suggested.

A thoracic epidural injection may provide pain relief for several different types of back problems, like:

• Injuries causing irritation of the spinal nerves
• Thoracic disc herniation with pain radiating into your back or arm
• Thoracic post-surgical spine syndrome
• Thoracic spinal stenosis

The shot may reduce swelling around the spinal nerve roots. It may help ease your pain in the area for weeks to months.