When our patients are suffering from back, neck, or sciatic-nerve pain, we can instantly relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation with epidural steroid injections (ESIs). While these injections are only a temporary means of relieving back pain, they are more effective than other options, such as oral medications.
Who would benefit from epidural steroid injections?
At Desert Vein & Vascular, we use epidural steroid injections to address pain from these conditions:
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Facet joint cysts
- Nerve root cysts
- Annular tears
How often can EPIs be given?
We use ESIs as both stand-alone pain relief and in conjunction with physical therapy (making the necessary movements and exercises less painful). Pain relief from steroid injections varies dramatically between patients. Some patients can experience relief for a year, others just a few weeks. Typical duration is around one month. Steroid injections shouldn’t be given more than quarterly, however, due to the possibility of tissue damage.
How we give EPIs
We give these injections in our Peoria offices. We utilize fluoroscopy to verify the location of the inflamed nerve root. The injections contain lidocaine, along with the corticosteroid, so they are not painful.
Immediately after your injection, there is instant pain relief. This is due to the lidocaine, but this wears off in a few hours. Over the next day or two, the corticosteroid begins working to reduce inflammation. This should significantly reduce pain, although it may not completely relieve it.
If you have continuing back pain, we can help. Call us at Desert Vein & Vascular, (623) 847-3884, and ask about our epidural steroid injections.