How Do Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections Work?

The adult spine is divided into 24 separate vertebrae. Steroid injections can be administered anywhere along the spine, depending on where you are in discomfort. Lumbar epidural steroid injections are commonly delivered to the two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine, L4 and L5. Ultrasound equipment is commonly used to determine the ideal location for your steroid injection.

What Are Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections?

The lumbar spine allows you to stand, sit, walk, and bend with ease. It supports your upper body, protects the nerves that go down your legs and into your lower body, and helps to move your hips, waist, and ribs, keeping your body strong and supple.

Lower back discomfort might disrupt your regular routines. When you stop moving, your muscles weaken and stiffen, exacerbating the condition. This is where lumbar epidural steroid injections come in.

Injecting steroids into your lumbar spine's epidural region lowers swelling and inflammation surrounding the disc, bone, or nerve that is causing discomfort. This implies it can be used to treat a wide range of back disorders, including:

Lumbar slipped disc

A condition in which the cushioning tissue (disc) between your lower vertebrae slips out of position, resulting in inflammation and possibly nerve compression;

Sciatica

Sciatica is the compression of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back to the feet. It might be caused by a slipped disc, bad posture, arthritis, or another back issue;

Arthritis

The cartilage in your spine tends to deteriorate over time, resulting in friction, swelling, and discomfort between the vertebrae;

Degenerative disc disease

Discs wear away over time, resulting in less cushioning in your vertebrae. This causes swelling and soreness in the lower back;

Damage

Sports, overexertion, or improper lifting techniques can all result in muscle or joint damage. Lower back discomfort in runners is a very typical issue;

Non-specific localized low back pain

It can range from a continual dull aching to periodic acute aches, with a variety of symptoms and causes;

Spinal stenosis

It's a disorder in which the space in your lumbar spine narrows and irritates nerves that pass through the spinal column;

Nerve compression

Sciatica is one example of nerve compression. Other nerves may also be damaged, resulting in tingling, discomfort, and numbness in the arms and/or legs.

Particular health problems and drugs may indicate that particular steroids are not appropriate. This may apply if you:

Have received a recent steroid injection (within the previous three months);
Have already received four steroid injections in the previous year;
Are scheduled for a vaccine soon, or have already had one;
Have diabetes, hypertension, or epilepsy;
Have an infection;
Take certain drugs, such as anticoagulants or blood thinners.

These do not necessarily prevent you from receiving a lumbar steroid injection, but you should notify your doctor so that they can provide you with the best course of therapy.

Side Effects From Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections

Possible negative effects of lumbar ESIs include temporary discomfort after the anesthetic wears off and before the steroid takes action. Sudden acute pain within two days of the injection is known as a cortisone flare, which can be treated with ice and medications. Among other side effects are:

Soreness and bruises at the injection site;
Higher blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes);
Increased blood pressure.

Because steroid injections might impact blood pressure and sugar levels, you should inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, or any other medical conditions.

Results of Lumbar ESIs

Lumbar epidural steroid injections are an excellent treatment for low back pain caused by a variety of disorders. According to research, lumbar ESIs can alleviate sciatica pain by at least 75% after 60 days and one year. A lumbar ESI can alleviate pain from a slipped disc by more than 50% after two weeks and one year.

However, the majority of studies demonstrate that epidural steroid injections provide temporary alleviation. The duration of epidural steroid injections is determined by the following: