Epidural Steroid Injection

Overview/Definition
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Caudal Steroid Injection

Click on an image to view animation

Overview/Definition

An epidural steroid injection is a fairly simple, non-surgical procedure that treats pain and can serve as a diagnostic tool. Conditions typically treated include sciatica and other conditions in which the nerve becomes irritated such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

The doctor injects a combination of local anesthetic and steroid drugs either directly into the collection of nerves in the back or into the joint spaces of the spine.

The benefits to epidural steroid injections are three-fold.

1. Injecting steroids into the epidural space helps reduce the inflammation of the nerves, nerve roots, or nerve coverings, which are the source of leg pain.

2. The steroids serve as a temporary form of pain relief so the body can begin its natural healing process.

3. An epidural steroid injection is a good diagnostic tool because its blockage of the nerve pinpoints the source of your pain.

A majority of patients experience significant pain relief after just one steroid injection. However, some patients may need to undergo the procedure two or three times to reap the full benefits of the treatment.

There are other types of steroid injections which treat back and neck: transforaminal, and caudal.

Back to top

Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

Back to top

Caudal Steroid Injection

Total disc replacement provides both mechanical stability and restored mobility to the spine and significant pain relief to the patient. The synthetic material used in total disc replacement enables a greater post-operative range of motion. In addition, patients typically return to their normal activities within two to six weeks after surgery with their back pain alleviated.

The European studies, bolstered by the pending support of FDA approval, show that disc replacement offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional spinal fusion. Its effectiveness has been validated by long-term results in Europe. Patients who undergo disc replacement at the Spine Institute of NY will be monitored post-operatively under rigorous guidelines.

Back to top