Where is an Epidural Steroid Injection performed?
This procedure can be performed in one of two locations. Injections performed in the office are placed into the lumbar spine region, without x-rays, while injections performed in the ambulatory surgical center are placed into the sacral spine region, with x-ray localization. How is an Epidural Steroid Injection done? Prior to performing the Epidural Steroid Injection, your physician will cleanse your back with antiseptic solution and numb your skin with anesthetic. Using anatomic landmarks, the physician directs a needle through the back into the epidural space (the space around the sac that holds the nerve roots). If an x-ray unit (a C-arm fluoroscope) is used, the position of the needle is occasionally verified by injecting a small amount of contrast dye through the needle into this region. Once the localization is appropriate, a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the epidural space. The steroid works in the epidural space as well as over the exiting nerve roo
