Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation around irritated spinal nerves and temporarily relieve certain types of back pain, particularly pain that travels into the buttocks or legs. These injections may help you move more comfortably, return to daily activities, and participate more fully in rehabilitation while your symptoms improve.
With locations in Linden, Clark, and Union, NJ, Union County Orthopaedic Group has served the community since 1966. The team includes Naomi B. Gold, DO, who is dual board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, and Nathaniel Sutain, MD, who is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and fellowship-trained in interventional spine care.
How Do Epidural Steroid Injections Help Back Pain?
An epidural steroid injection places corticosteroid medication into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves. The medication reduces inflammation around irritated nerve roots, which can lessen radiating pain, tingling, or other issues associated with nerve compression.
These injections may be considered for nerve-related symptoms caused by conditions such as a herniated disc or radiculopathy, and in selected cases of spinal stenosis. They’re generally more useful for nerve-related pain, such as sciatica, than for every form of back discomfort.
Benefits of an Epidural Steroid Injection
Depending on what’s causing your discomfort, an epidural steroid injection may:
- Reduce pain caused by nerve inflammation: Calming inflammation around an irritated nerve can decrease pain that travels from your back into your leg.
- Make movement easier: Less pain can make walking, working, exercising, and completing everyday tasks more manageable.
- Help you participate in rehabilitation: If the injection reduces pain, it may make it easier to participate in physical therapy and other rehabilitation activities.
- Provide short-term relief while other care continues: For some people, symptom relief provides time to continue physical therapy, activity modification, or other nonsurgical treatment.
Relief varies from person to person. Epidural steroid injections don’t correct the underlying structural problem, and some people experience little or no improvement. When they do work, relief is usually temporary.
Is an Epidural Steroid Injection Right for You?
The cause and pattern of your pain matter. Your doctor may review your symptoms, physical exam findings, imaging, and previous treatments before deciding if an epidural injection makes sense. It might be considered when nerve inflammation contributes to ongoing back or leg pain that hasn’t improved enough with conservative care.
Explore Nonsurgical Back Pain Solutions in Union County, NJ
Back pain doesn’t always require surgery. The physicians at Union County Orthopaedic Group in Linden, Clark, and Union, NJ, can evaluate your condition and discuss interventional pain management options that fit your diagnosis. Contact us today to discuss back and neck care.
- Linden Office: (908) 486-1111
- Clark Office: (732) 388-1761
- Union Office: (908) 486-4400