Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections - for upper mid and back pain

A lumbar epidural steroid injection is an outpatient procedure for low back pain and pain that radiates from your low back. Epidural steroid injections are among the most common type of therapy for managing radicular pain. In the United States, back pain is the fifth most common reason people seek medical care, and approximately 9% to 25% of people describe having low back pain with leg pain traveling down below their knee (radicular pain) per year.

This information will explain what it is, Dr. Singer can determine if it is for you.

What is a lumbar epidural steroid injection? A lumbar epidural steroid injection (lumbar ESI) is an injection of anti-inflammatory medicine — a steroid — into the epidural space around the spinal nerves in your low back. The main goal of a lumbar ESI is to manage chronic pain caused by irritation and inflammation of the spinal nerve roots in your low back (the lumbar region of your spine) due to certain conditions or injuries. This type of chronic pain is called lumbar radiculopathy (radicular pain), which can radiate down from your low back to your hips, legs and/or feet.

What are lumbar epidural steroid injections used for? Dr. Singer uses lumbar epidural steroid injections to manage a type of chronic pain known as lumbar radicular pain, which is caused by spinal nerve root inflammation and irritation in your low back. Lumbar radicular pain is often called sciatica. Lumbar radicular pain can cause the following symptoms, which can radiate from your low back down the back of your leg below your knee to your calf and/or foot:

• Pain.
• Numbness.
• Muscle weakness.
• Tingling.

Many conditions can irritate your spinal nerve roots in your low back and cause lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica), including: 

• Lumbar herniated disk: This condition is also commonly called a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk. Disks have soft, gel-like centers and a firmer outer layer. Over time or with an injury, the outer layer weakens and can crack. A lumbar herniated disk happens when the inner substance pushes through a crack in one of the disks between two vertebrae in your low back. The leaked material may press on, irritate and/or pinch nearby spinal nerves.
• Lumbar degenerative disk disease: This condition happens when the cushioning in between the vertebrae in your low back begins to wear away. A degenerated disk could cause local inflammation in your spinal nerve roots. 
• Lumbar spinal stenosis: This condition is the narrowing of one or more spaces within your lumbar spine. Less space within your spine reduces the amount of space available for your spinal nerve roots. A tightened space can cause the nerves to become irritated or pinched, which can lead to low back pain, especially with repeated activity like walking. 
• Lumbar osteoarthritis (lumbar spondylosis): This condition involves changes to the bones, disks and joints in your low back caused by the normal wear-and-tear of aging. Lumbar osteoarthritis can lead to narrowing of the interior of your spinal column in your low back or in the openings where spinal nerves exit, which can cause inflammation and irritation to the nerves. 
• Localized low back pain (axial back pain): Axial low back pain can vary widely and have numerous causes. It can be a sharp or dull pain that you experience constantly or infrequently, and the pain can range from mild to severe. 
• Neurogenic claudication: This condition happens from compression of the spinal nerves in your lumbar spine. It can cause pain or tingling in your low back and one or both of your legs, hips and buttocks. These symptoms are especially present when you're standing upright or walking.

How does a lumbar epidural steroid injection work? The lower back region of your spine is called the lumbar spine. This region is made up of five vertebrae, and these vertebrae are the largest of the other vertebrae in your spine. They extend from your lower thoracic spine (chest) to your sacrum (the bottom of your spine). Between the vertebral bones are disks that provide cushioning for your vertebrae and flexibility for you. The lumbar vertebrae have several important roles, including:

• Supporting and stabilizing your upper body.
• Allowing twisting and bending movements.
• Protecting your spinal cord and cauda equina (the nerves that descend from the bottom of your spinal cord).

Your spinal cord is a very important bundle of nerves that runs from your brain to your low back. Your spinal cord acts like a highway that connects the nerves located all over your body to your brain so that your brain can communicate with the rest of your body. Sometimes, nerve roots that are attached to the lumbar region (low back region) of your spinal cord can become pinched or inflamed. This can happen, for example, if you have a herniated disk. The inflamed nerves can cause pain that may radiate down your leg(s).

This information is for general education only. Specific questions or concerns should always be directed to your doctor. Your doctor can explain possible risks or side effects.