Epidural Steroid Injections

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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Precision Pain Care uses strategies, methods and technology designed to break the cycle of pain and improve a patient’s quality of life.
- Celiac Plexus Block
- Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation
- Endoscopic Discectomy
- Endoscopic Rhizotomy
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Facet Injections and Medial Branch Blocks
- Joint Injections
- MILD Lumbar Decompression
- Minuteman Spinal Fusion Procedure
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Sympathetic Blocks
- Kyphoplasty
Movie presentations showing non-invasive pain reducing procedures used by Dr. Linehan to treat various painful conditions.