What are the Typical Risks of Epidural Steroid Injection?
With any operation or injection procedure there are risks. In the case of epidural steroid injection, these risks are small. The most common side effect is a temporary increase in pain. It occurs in about one percent of epidural steroid injections. Headaches can also occur, with an incidence of one percent. If you are allergic to one of the additives in the steroid solution, you may experience a hot flush and develop a rash. As with any injection with the skin, it is possible for bacteria to gain entry causing an infection. There is also a risk of bleeding, which is why it is very important to follow your pre-injection instructions and discontinue any medications that may thin your blood and cause you to bleed easily. It is also theoretically possible that the nerve could be temporarily or permanently irritated secondary to the procedure. Facet Joint Injections The facet joints are the joints that are made up of the overlapping arches of the bones that make up your spinal canal. This i
