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Patient Education:

 

What is an ESI?

An ESI, or epidural steroid injection, is an injection of both a long lasting steroid and an anesthetic numbing medicine in the epidural space.  The epidural space is the area that surrounds the spinal cord and nerves coming out of it.  The ESI can help to relieve neck, arm, low back, and leg pain caused by irritated nerves.  The steroid that is injected helps reduce swelling of the nerves, and in turn may reduce pain, tingling, and numbness.  An ESI is usually performed on patients with stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal and nerve root canal causing neck, back, or  leg pain, spondylolysis: a weakness or fracture between upper and lower vertebrae, and a herniated disc: which occurs when the gel like center of a disc in the spine pushes out from the center.  The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is done with the patient sitting up, on the side, or on the stomach.  The procedure involves inserting a needle through skin and deeper tissues, so there is some discomfort involved.  The entire procedure itself lasts approximately ten to fifteen minutes.  After the treatment the patient may experience slight numbness.  The patient’s blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored for a short period before being discharged to home.  The patient should bring someone to drive them home and will be asked to take it easy for 24-36 hours after the injection.  The steroid should start working in about three to five days and relief can be expected to last for several weeks to several months.  The patient may have a series of three injections in a six month period.  These injections are usually given two weeks to a month apart.  Pain relief varies in each individual.  This procedure should not be performed if the patient is allergic to any of the medication to be injected, if taking a blood thinning medication, or if the patient has an infection going on.

 

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