Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is used to alleviate chronic neck, back, leg, or arm pain caused by compressed or inflamed spinal nerves. This is accomplished by injecting a corticosteroid (an anti-inflammatory agent) into the epidural space adjacent to the compressed nerve or nerves. The duration of relief provided by an ESI varies from patient to patient, but more than one injection typically is necessary to achieve the full effect.

Conditions Treated by Epidural Steroid Injection

An ESI is considered a conservative form of treatment, in the same category as pain medication, physical therapy, exercise, behavior modification, and more. A doctor will generally exhaust all conservative options before recommending surgery as treatment for conditions such as:

• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica

When ESI is Not Enough

If chronic back or neck pain persists after a series of epidural steroid injections, a doctor may recommend surgery as an option. If that becomes the case, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about the benefits of a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed using endoscopic technology.