Are there different types of epidural steroid injections?
Yes. A translaminar epidural steroid injection takes place when the needle is placed between two vertebrae from the back. Also called interlaminar, this method accesses the large epidural space overlying the spinal cord. Medication is delivered to the nerve roots on both the right and left sides of the inflamed area at the same time. A transforaminal epidural steroid injection is a very selective injection around a specific nerve root. X-ray fluoroscopy is used to guide the needle directly to the neural foramen, the point where the affected spinal nerve root exits the spine. This method treats one side at a time and is used most often for diagnostic purposes or pain limited to one nerve root. A third type of epidural steroid injection is known as a caudal block, which is placed through the sacral gap (a space below the lumbar spine near the sacrum). The injection is placed into the epidural space. This type of block usually affects the spinal nerves at the end of the spinal canal near
