Does the Intralaminar ESI help everyone?
No. It is difficult to predict if the injection will help or not. Usually, the patients who have recent onset of pain tend to do better than those with long standing pain. Patients who have radicular symptoms like sciatica respond better than the patients who have only back pain. Patients with back pain mainly due to bony abnormalities may not respond adequately. What are the risks and side effects? The procedure is safe. But, with any procedure there are risks, side effects and possibility of complications. The most common side effect is pain- which is temporary. The other risk involves spinal puncture with headaches, infection, bleeding inside the epidural space with nerve damage or worsening of symptoms. The other risks are related to the side effects of cortisone these include: weight gain, increase in blood sugar (mainly in diabetics), water retention, suppression of body s own natural production of cortisone etc. Fortunately, the serious side effects and complications are rare. W
