Epidural steroid injections place corticosteroid into the epidural space, targeting inflammation around compressed nerve roots. Approaches include interlaminar, transforaminal, and caudal.
Effects are typically temporary, and series are commonly limited to a defined number per year.
Alternative Names:
ESI, Epidural Injection
Why it Matters?
Injections occupy the middle of the treatment progression between conservative care and surgery, and their documented response is diagnostically useful. Substantial relief following a transforaminal injection at a specific level corroborates that the level is the pain source, while no response undermines the causal attribution. Repeated injections beyond guideline limits without documented benefit is a recurring necessity issue.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What does the response to injection indicate?
How many injections are typical?
