How is an Epidural Steroid Injection Administered?
A local anesthetic will be injected into the skin and underlying tissues to decrease the discomfort of introducing the epidural needle. Once the local anesthetic is working, the epidural needle is advanced into the epidural space, using the bones as landmarks to ensure the needle is in the right place. When the needle is in the epidural space, a syringe containing the corticosteroid solution is connected to the needle. After making sure the needle is not in a blood vessel or in the spinal fluid, Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. injects the solution slowly. The corticosteroid will be injected in a form that may include a saline solution and/or a local anesthetic, however, the dosage and the volume of the steroid and the other components will vary according to her judgment. What are the Typical Risks of Epidural Steroid Injection? With any operation or injection procedure there are risks. In the case of epidural steroid injection, these risks are small. The most common side effect is a temporar
