If your doctor has recommended an epidural steroid injection for your back pain, you’re likely curious — and perhaps a little nervous — about what to expect. Epidural steroid injections are one of the most commonly performed pain management procedures in the United States, and for good reason: when properly indicated and precisely administered, they can provide significant, meaningful relief from back pain caused by nerve compression or inflammation. Here’s what patients at Modern Pain Solutions in Granada Hills, CA should know before their appointment.
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) delivers a combination of a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory medication) and a local anesthetic directly into the epidural space — the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots within the spinal canal. By bathing the irritated or compressed nerves in anti-inflammatory medication, an ESI can significantly reduce nerve inflammation and provide relief from pain that radiates from the spine into the arms or legs.
ESIs are commonly used for conditions including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and radiculopathy. They are part of the comprehensive injection therapy services offered at Modern Pain Solutions.
What Happens During the Procedure?
At Modern Pain Solutions, epidural steroid injections are performed under fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance to ensure precise, accurate needle placement. The procedure takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish. You’ll lie on a table, and the target area of your back will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. Using imaging guidance, Dr. Lim will carefully advance a thin needle to the appropriate position in the epidural space and inject the medication. Most patients feel only mild pressure or temporary discomfort during the procedure.
What to Expect After an Epidural Injection
You may experience some temporary soreness at the injection site for one to two days. The local anesthetic in the injection typically provides brief, immediate relief — which may then fade as the anesthetic wears off before the steroid takes full effect. Most patients begin to notice significant improvement within three to seven days, as the corticosteroid reduces nerve inflammation. Relief can last for several weeks to several months.
According to a review published by the National Institutes of Health, epidural steroid injections are effective for short-to-medium-term pain relief in patients with lumbar radiculopathy, allowing patients to participate more fully in physical therapy and rehabilitation.
How Many Injections Will I Need?
Most patients receive a series of up to three injections over six months if needed, depending on their response to the initial treatment. Dr. Lim will monitor your progress and recommend additional injections only if clinically appropriate and if you are experiencing meaningful benefit. ESIs are typically used as part of a broader treatment strategy that may include physical therapy, activity modification, and other interventional procedures.
If you’d like to learn whether an epidural steroid injection is appropriate for your back or neck pain, contact Modern Pain Solutions at (818) 826-4145 or visit our Back & Neck Pain page.