LUMBAR EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION

This injection procedure is performed to relieve low back and radiating leg pain. Steroid medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by spinal conditions. In some cases it may be necessary to repeat the procedure as many as three times to get the full benefit of the medication. Many patients get significant relief from only one or two injections.

Fluoroscopic Guidance

In this procedure the patient lays face down. A cushion is placed under the stomach area for comfort and arches the back.  The physician uses a fluoroscope to locate the appropriate lumbar vertebra and nerve root.

Tissue Anesthetized

A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin. All the tissue down to the surface of the lamina portion of the lumbar vertebra bone is anesthetized.

Epidural Needle Inserted

The physician slides an epidural needle though the anesthetized track.

Needle Guided To Epidural Space

Using the fluoroscope for guidance, the physician slides the needle into the epidural space at the desired level.

Contrast Dye Injected

A contrast solution is injected. The physician uses the fluoroscope to confirm the correct location of the needle tip.

Steroid Injected

A steroid and anesthetic mixture is injected into the epidural space, bathing the painful nerve root with soothing medication.

End of Procedure

The needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied to cover the tiny needle surface wound.