An Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by irritated spinal nerves. ESIs are commonly recommended for patients experiencing chronic neck pain, back pain, sciatica, or radiating arm and leg pain related to spinal conditions.
By delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space around the spine, an ESI can help decrease swelling, reduce nerve irritation, and improve mobility and comfort.
ESIs may help relieve pain associated with:
During the procedure, a physician uses imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (live X-ray), to precisely place medication near the affected nerve roots. The injection typically contains a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and a local anesthetic to help provide temporary pain relief.
The procedure is usually completed in less than 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
Patients may be asked to:
While both Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) and traditional steroid injections use anti-inflammatory medication to help relieve pain, they are designed to treat different types of conditions and target pain in different ways.
An ESI delivers medication into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves. This treatment is specifically used for pain caused by inflammation or irritation of nerves in the spine, such as sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or radiating neck and back pain.
Because the medication is placed near the affected nerve roots, ESIs are intended to reduce nerve inflammation and relieve pain that travels into the arms or legs.
Traditional steroid injections are typically administered directly into a joint, tendon, bursa, or soft tissue area. These injections are commonly used to treat localized inflammation and pain in areas such as the knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, or wrists.
They are generally intended for conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or joint inflammation rather than spinal nerve-related pain.
Our providers carefully evaluate each patient’s symptoms and condition to recommend the most effective type of injection therapy for long-term pain relief and improved function.
An ESI may be recommended if conservative treatments such as medication, rest, or physical therapy have not provided adequate relief. Our team evaluates each patient individually to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on symptoms, imaging, and overall health.
