What is an epidural steroid injection and how is it performed?
An epidural steroid injection is a non-surgical treatment used for temporary pain relief in the arm, leg, lower back and neck. Pain is caused by an irritation of the spinal nerves and an epidural steroid injection can relieve the symptoms for a period of one week up to one year. A medication containing a mixture of local anesthetic and steroid medication is injected into the epidural space of the spine, which is located between the bony vertebra and dura mater, a tough and inflexible membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots, and contains cerebrospinal fluid. An epidural steroid injection is performed with the patient lying on his or her abdomen and the area of the skin where the needle will be injected is numbed with a local anesthetic. Fluoroscopy (live x-ray) or CT is used to aid the neuroradiologist in guiding the needle directly into the epidural space. Once the needle has reached the epidural space, a small amount of contrast dye is injected into the area to ensure
