Epidural Steroid Injection                                            Post Procedure Instructions 

PURPOSE: This procedure is used to evaluate neck or back pain and (potentially) provide pain relief. This injection may decrease pain and nerve root irritation/swelling, allowing you to resume a more normal lifestyle and exercise program. This is done by an injection of anesthetic combined with anti-inflammatory (steroid) medications near the area where the painful nerve or nerves are located (the epidural space).

RESPONSE: The response to injection may range from no relief to complete relief lasting from days to months. Your response to the injection will help determine wheter further injections are needed. If you receive at least partial relief, it may be appropriate to repeat the injection up to two additional times in an attempt to break the pain cycle.

PROCEDURE: Prior to the procedure, the physician will discuss the procedures, benefits, risks, and alternatives and will answer questions. A written consent will be obtained.

You will be positioned on you stomach and asked, at certain times, to remain very still. The doctor will clean the skin on your back (or neck) and numb the area with local anesthetic, and a small needle will be passed in to the epidural space. The position of the needle will be checked using a small amount of contrast dye, which can be seen on X-RAY. The steroid with local anesthesia will be injected only after proper placement is confirmed.

You may feel some discomfort or mild pressure and this is normal. We will do our best to insure your comfort. Please feel free to let the staff working with you know your needs during the procedure. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes and you will be observed approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour afterwards.

RISKS: The risks of this procedure include infection, bleeding, headache, dizziness, leg weakness, or numbness. There is also a slight chance of allergy to contrast dye.

Note: One of the medications we use is steroid and may adversely affect you if you are diabetic. PLEASE TELL THE PHYSICIAN IF YOU ARE DIABETIC OR HAVE OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS.

No activity restriction except what your own physician may have recommended to you. (Though you must arrange to have a driver take you home)

Expect local discomfort at the needle site for one to two days. An ice-pack used intermittently for the first 24 hours may help.

Use your current pain medications as needed. While you may experience some discomfort for 1 to 4 days after the injection, it should not be so severe that you routine medications can’t handle it.

Keep a pain log and track your response to the injection. Note your discomfort each day during the period when you would normally have the most pain.

Notify the DR. for the following:

Significant fever (greater than 101 degrees F) in the next 2-5 days

Marked headache in the upright position

Significant increase in pain in the next 3-7 days

Other significant concerns regarding the procedure