Who should not have an epidural steroid injection?
Lumbar epidural steroid injections should not be performed on patients who have a local or systemic bacterial infection, are pregnant (if fluoroscopy is used) or have bleeding problems. Epidural injections should also not be performed for patients whose pain is from a tumor or infection, and if suspected, an MRI scan should be done prior to the injection to rule out these conditions. Injections may be done, but with extreme caution, for patients with allergies to the injected solution, uncontrolled medical problems (such as congestive heart failure and diabetes. In diabetic patients, a steroid injection may slightly elevate blood sugar levels, especially during the first 24 hours. If you are taking Aspirin, Plavix, or blood thinning medication, you may need to stop taking it several days before an epidural steroid injection. Discuss any medications with your doctors, including the doctor who prescribed them and the doctor who will perform the injection.), and those who are taking aspir
