Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a common treatment option for many forms of lower back pain and leg pain. They have been used for decades and are considered an integral part of the nonsurgical management of sciatica and lower back pain.

The injection is named an epidural steroid injection because it involves injecting a local anesthetic and a steroid medication directly into the epidural space that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Epidural steroid injections may help reduce inflammation and control pain.

The goals of an epidural steroid injection are to:

• Control pain by reducing inflammation in and around the nerve roots

• Improve mobility and function in the lower back and legs

• Allow the patient to participate in and make progress with a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program

In the course of one’s care program, in most cases, an epidural steroid injection may be recommended after a series of nonsurgical treatments, such as medications and physical therapy, have been tried, and before surgery is considered.

The role of the injection is typically to provide sufficient pain relief to allow a return to everyday activities and to make progress in physical therapy.

Potential Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections

A herniated disc pressing the lumbar nerve root and causing sciatica pain.Save

Epidural steroid injections may help reduce nerve pain in the leg.

Most practitioners will agree that an epidural injection can be beneficial during an acute episode of back and/or leg pain. The main drawbacks of the injections are that they are not always effective, and when effective, the pain relief tends to be temporary, ranging from one week to one year. Typically, if the initial injection is effective, up to 3 injections may be given in one year.

When administered in the lumbar epidural space, steroid injections may have the following benefits:

Reduce nerve pain and inflammation. Steroids decrease the production of inflammatory chemicals and reduce the sensitivity of nerve fibers to pain, generating fewer pain signals. 3 , 4

Limit oral medication. Pain relief from these injections may help limit or eliminate the need for oral medications, 4 some of which may have side effects when taken long-term.

Continue or re-engage in physical therapy. This injection may provide sufficient pain relief to allow a patient to progress with a rehabilitative physical therapy program. 1

Postpone surgery. Pain relief experienced from lumbar epidural steroid injections may help postpone surgery, and if physical therapy is effective, it may eliminate the need for surgical intervention. 4 , 5

Several techniques may be used to administer an epidural injection depending on underlying the condition, the patient’s needs, and the doctor’s preference and experience.

Epidural Injection Approaches

Injection site of transforaminal, interlamniar, and caudal injections in the spinal cordSave

An epidural steroid injection can be administered via 3 different routes: transforaminal, interlaminar, and caudal.

This type of injection can provide acute and significant pain relief because it introduces a steroid medication with strong anti-inflammatory effects directly into the painful area near the spinal nerve(s). An epidural injection may be given using any one of the following approaches:

Transforaminal route: This technique allows precise administration of the steroid solution into the epidural space, near the area where the nerve is likely to be irritated. This injection technique targets specific nerve roots to control inflammation and pain. 1 , 6

Interlaminar route: In this technique, the needle is inserted from the back of the spine and the medication is deposited into the epidural space. This method is less precise because it does not deposit the medication near the target nerve root, and the steroid solution is free to spread within the epidural space. 1 , 7

Caudal route: This is a general approach is simple to administer, but medication doesn’t go directly to the source of the pain in the epidural space and around the nerves. The caudal approach may be less effective but is considered safer and easier to perform. This method may help control widespread or diffused pain. 3 , 7

Effectiveness of Epidural Steroid Injections

Different treatment options for sciatica.Save

A variety of treatments are available for sciatica and leg pain.

Available research indicates generally favorable results, with 70% to 90% of patients experiencing pain relief from these injections, lasting for a week to a year. 1 , 8 If a good first response is seen, a second injection may be considered when the improvement from the first injection begins to taper off. Typically, up to 3 injections may be given over a 12-month period. 1 , 6

While many studies have documented the short-term benefits of epidural steroid injections, the data on long-term effectiveness are less convincing. Controversy persists regarding their effectiveness in reducing pain and improving the function. Literature both supporting and opposing them are available. 6

In addition, there are several limitations in the research that has been conducted, such as:

Many studies do not include the use of fluoroscopy or x-ray to verify the proper placement of the medication despite the fact that fluoroscopic guidance is routinely used today.

Other studies do not classify patients according to diagnosis and tend to 'lump' different types of pain sources together.

These methodological flaws tend to limit the usefulness of the research. More studies are needed to define the role of epidural steroid injections in lower back pain and sciatica.

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When Epidural Steroid Injections May be Used

Degenerated spinal disc causing nerve compression.Save

Epidural steroid injections may help relieve sciatica pain from conditions like degenerated discs.

Lumbar epidural injections are typically used in the treatment of conditions that cause irritation and/or inflammation of spinal nerve roots with associated lower back and leg pain. Most common lower back conditions treated include 1 :

Lumbar Herniated disc(s)

Lumbar Degenerative disc disease

Lumbar Spinal stenosis

Less commonly, localized back pain (axial back pain) and neurogenic claudication (back pain and leg pain that occurs while walking) may be treated with these injections. 3 , 6

Who Performs the Injections

Doctors who administer this type of injection include spine and pain management specialists, such as physiatrists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, neurologists, and spine surgeons. The injection procedure typically takes place in a surgery center, hospital, or a physician's clinic.

Managing Side Effects: Temporary Discomfort and Risks of Epidural Steroid Injections

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Headache may occur as a side effect of epidural injection.

Epidural steroid injections are considered a relatively safe and minimally invasive. Temporary side effects may occur in some cases and include (but are not limited to):

Post-injection pain

Nausea

Headache

Dizziness

Fainting (vasovagal attack)

Flushing of the face

These side effects typically resolve in a few minutes to hours. Serious complications, while rare, may include spinal cord damage, dural puncture, and/or stroke. 9 , 10

Lower risk at spinal levels L4 and below

In general, epidural injections administered for spinal levels L4 or lower carry a lesser risk of complication(s) compared to higher levels. 10 , 11 The injections are typically performed under fluoroscopy (x-ray guidance) with a contrast dye. Fluoroscopy helps guide the needle to the accurate location and helps prevent nerve and/or artery damage. 1

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Specific concomitant medical conditions may raise risk

Tumors in different locations of the spine.Save

An epidural injection cannot be given in certain medical conditions like tumors.

The injections are typically not given when certain complicating medical conditions are present, such as infections, tumors, or bleeding disorders. Additionally, the injections may not be given in case of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, certain heart conditions, and pregnancy. 1

Sedatives and/or anesthetics may be used

If necessary, a relaxation medication may be given through an intravenous (IV) line in the patient’s arm, but the patient is usually conscious during this procedure. The treatment area in the lower back is numbed with a local anesthetic injection before the epidural is given, so the epidural injection procedure is usually painless.

An epidural steroid injection procedure may take about 30 minutes to administer. A tingling or mild burning sensation or the feeling of pressure may be experienced as the medication enters the epidural space. When the injection is completed, the irritation and discomfort usually disappear within a few minutes. Patients typically return home after a few hours. Specific post-injection precautions are followed over the next few days.