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Lumbar epidural steroid inject is a procedure where steroid and local anesthesia is directly injected into the low back, in order to relieve low back pain or leg pain.
How is Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection Performed?
After administering local anesthesia, a specially designed needle is guided into the low back into the epidural space around the nerve roots, using x-ray guidance. A small amount of x-ray dye is usually then injected to confirm the needle is appropriately placed. Pain medication and steroid is then injected. It is not uncommon for several days to pass before the medication takes effect. The procedure typically takes about 10 minutes.
What happens the day of the procedure?
This procedure is done as an outpatient. You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. You should take any usual medications the day of the procedure, with the exception of Coumadin, Plavix and aspirin. Often, you will be asked to discontinue Coumadin or Plavix for several days prior to the procedure. These instructions are available through your referring doctor. Someone must accompany you to drive you home.
Are there risks associated with cervical lumbar epidural steroid injection?
There is a very small risk of bleeding or infection resulting from the procedure. There is also a very small risk of allergic reaction to the injected x-ray dye or medication.