Overview
Understanding epidural injections
Epidural injections are used most often when inflamed or compressed spinal nerves contribute to pain traveling into an arm or leg. Image guidance helps the clinician position the needle and confirm where medication is delivered.
The injection does not repair every cause of spine pain, and response varies. Its role, alternatives, and limits should be discussed in the context of the diagnosis and the patient’s overall plan.
Useful context
When this may be discussed
- Radiating arm or leg pain linked to an irritated spinal nerve
- Selected disc or narrowing-related pain patterns
- A period of reduced inflammation that may support movement or rehabilitation
At the clinic
What the process may involve
- 01
A pre-procedure review of medications, allergies, infection risk, and relevant medical conditions
- 02
Positioning and skin preparation, followed by local numbing medicine
- 03
Fluoroscopic X-ray guidance and contrast when appropriate to confirm placement
- 04
Post-procedure instructions and a plan to assess response
Benefits, limits, and risks
Questions to discuss before treatment
- Benefits may be temporary and differ from person to person.
- Bleeding, infection, nerve injury, headache, medication reactions, and temporary symptom changes are among the risks discussed before treatment.
- The FDA warns that rare but serious neurologic events have occurred with epidural corticosteroid injections and notes that corticosteroids are not FDA-approved for epidural administration.
References
Sources and further reading
These references provide general education. They do not replace advice from a clinician who knows your health history.