Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) are used by healthcare professionals as a pain management tool for leg, arm, back, and neck pain and certain chronic pain conditions including sciatica, degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis, pinched nerves, spinal stenosis, and more.
What is an ESI?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is an injection of anti-inflammatory medication into the epidural space just outside the spinal fluid. The epidural space is the area that surrounds the spinal cord running from the base of the brain to the tailbone, including the spinal nerves as they exit the spine.
The anti-inflammatory medication is injected into the space surrounding the spinal nerves, treating the inflammation and tenderness around the nerve roots of the spine.
What are the benefits of an ESI?
There are many advantages of epidural steroid injections. ESIs are minimally invasive, much less so than surgery, and don’t leave unappealing scars. ESIs give patients an opportunity for a better quality of life with less restrictions, a wider range of motion, higher functionality, and temporary to long-term pain relief.
How long does it take for an ESI to work and how long will it last?
Epidural steroid injections start working within two to seven days, but many variables determine how long an ESI can last.
The cause and severity of a patient’s pain are the two main factors. However, in general, an ESI can last from one to three months and, in some cases, can even last a year or longer.
For full effect, some patients may require ESIs in 4-week intervals, and no more than three ESIs will be administered within a calendar year.
What should a Patient Expect After an Epidural Injection?
ESIs are performed in outpatient facilities and patients are allowed to return home after being monitored for a short period of time following the procedure. In general, sedation (nitrous oxide) is given during the procedure, and patients are unable to drive for at least 12 hours after the ESI. Soreness around the injection site is normal and can be treated with an ice pack and a mild pain reliever (Tylenol). Non-strenuous, normal activities may be resumed 24 hours after the procedure mixed in with light exercise.
Light Exercises to Consider After an Epidural Steroid Injection
After pain relief is reached from an ESI, rehabilitation of the body should begin. Light exercise can help strengthen and support the spine leading to less pain and inflammation for the patient in the future. Here are a few exercises to promote progress:
- Walking
- Side-lying Leg Lifts
- Pelvic Tilts
- Ankle Pumps
- Knee & Hamstring Stretches
What are the risks of an Epidural Steroid Injection?
Although the benefits of epidural steroid injections most certainly outweighs the risks, here are some rare yet possible side effects:
- Spinal headaches, bleeding, infection
- Allergic reactions
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Weight gain
- Water retention
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
Want to learn more about epidural steroid injections? Read our FAQs about ESIs page.