See also: Epidural interactive videos
Dr. Ron linehan, MD, board-certified pain management expert

Epidural steroid injections are a safe, effective and minimally invasive means of controlling spine and extremity pain caused by bulging discs, surgical scar tissue or degenerative disc changes. These injections control pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. Rather than simply masking the symptoms, epidural steroid injections address the actual cause of pain and can control symptoms for prolonged time periods.

The goal is to inject the medication as close to the pain source as possible, using either a translaminar or transforaminal injection. The correct type of injection depends on your condition and which procedure will likely produce the best result.

You may experience a brief increase in discomfort for one to two days after the injections. However, the steroid injection will reduce inflammation and pain after two to three days. Most patients experience a 50 percent or greater reduction in radicular pain that lasts for weeks to years.

Epidural steroid injections are safe and unlikely to result in a complication. Approximately 10 percent of patients may experience side effects that last a few days following the injection, including:

• Hyperactivity, sleeplessness
• Lethargy, drowsiness
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Temporary increase in appetite
• Temporary increase in blood glucose levels (diabetic patients)
• Fluid retention

All of these side effects are temporary and generally last no longer than two to three days. Precision Pain Care can treat more serious side effects with medications.

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