An epidural
steroid
injection is a common and quick procedure to treat spinal
nerve irritation that usually causes chronic low back pain and/or leg
pain (also known as radicular pain). Epidural steroid injection is also
used to treat other conditions, such as disk herniation and cervical
radiculopathy. The epidural or epidural space, sometimes extradural
space or peridural space, is an area in the human spine. It is located
inside the bony spinal canal but outside the membrane of the dura mater.
Epidural
steroid
injection is generally safe but, as with any other medical procedures,
there is always the possibility of the occurrence of side effects. The
most common side effect of epidural steroid injection is pain lasting
for a couple of days at a maximum. Other serious steroid side effects
include infection, headaches due cerebrospinal fluid, bleeding within
the epidural space, and epidural abscess as caused by infection.
A needle and a syringe are used in epidural steroid injection. These
are used to enter the epidural space and deposit small amounts of
long-acting steroids around the inflamed spinal nerve. After the
injection, you may notice that your legs may be numb due to the
injection of local anesthesia. This discomfort may last for several
hours. You may also experience a sore back, typically for a day or two.
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