Epidural steroid injections are an effective treatment option for various conditions and disorders causing back and leg pain. With epidural steroid injections, a corticosteroid mixed with a local anesthetic is injected into the epidural space surrounding the nerve roots of the spinal cord.

The process for administering epidural steroid injections is minimally invasive and is performed under the guidance of fluoroscopy; that is, an X-ray machine helps the medical provider guide and inject the needle to the precise location. A local anesthetic is used to provide anesthesia to the skin and superficial tissues before the injection to minimize the pain. After the epidural needle is guided into the correct location, a contrast dye is injected to ensure the steroid medication will spread properly. Once it is confirmed that the dye spreads properly, the corticosteroid will be injected into the epidural space.

After the procedure, the patient can return home with assistance as sometimes you may experience some weakness on the day of the procedure. You may return to normal activities within 24 hours.

It varies from patient to patient the length of time an Epidural steroid injection lasts. With that said, it is generally recommended that patients limit epidural injections to between three to four injections per calendar year to protect the strength of their spinal bones and muscles. Your doctor can inform you of how often you should receive epidural steroid injections. Most of the time, patients start noticing the benefits of epidural steroid injections within one to three days, but some patients may have to wait for one to two weeks before seeing improvements.

While epidural steroid injections do not work for everyone all the time, they do have a high success rate when administered correctly and for the right reasons.

Epidural steroid injections can provide numerous benefits for patients! Some of these benefits include the following:

• Avoid or postpone surgery
• Excellent support for continuing physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Improved functional mobility and strength
• Limited need to rely on oral pain relief medication
• Reduced inflammation and nerve pain

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we are dedicated to helping you manage pain and improve your overall well-being. Our professional team works closely with you to provide effective treatments tailored to your specific needs. If you’re struggling with nerve pain or inflammation, contact us today or schedule an appointment to learn more about epidural steroid injections and how they can help support your recovery journey. We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, in Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Woodfield NC, Hope Mills NC, Fort Bragg NC, Eastover NC, and surrounding areas.