How Do I Know If an Epidural Steroid Injection is Right for My Pain Condition?

When chronic back or neck pain starts to interfere with your daily life, finding effective relief becomes a priority. One treatment option that often comes up is an epidural steroid injection. This minimally invasive procedure can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, especially when other conservative treatments have not provided the results you need.
 

Understanding Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections involve delivering anti-inflammatory medication, usually a corticosteroid, into the epidural space of the spine. This area surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. The goal of the injection is to decrease inflammation and irritation around the nerves, which can help reduce pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the spine to the arms or legs.
 

Conditions Commonly Treated with Epidural Injections

Epidural steroid injections are often recommended for people with:

• Herniated or bulging discs

• Spinal stenosis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Sciatica

• Radiculopathy (nerve root compression)
   

If your pain is caused by nerve inflammation or compression, you may be a candidate for this treatment.
 

Signs You Might Benefit from an Epidural Steroid Injection

You may want to consider an epidural steroid injection if:

• You experience radiating pain down your legs or arms

• Pain has persisted for more than a few weeks despite rest, physical therapy, or medications

• Your symptoms worsen with activity but improve when you lie down

• Imaging tests, such as an MRI, show inflammation or compression around a nerve root

• You are not ready or eligible for surgery but need stronger relief than oral medications can provide
   

What to Expect from the Procedure

An epidural steroid injection is typically done under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to ensure accuracy. The procedure is quick and performed in an outpatient setting. Many patients feel relief within a few days, though some may need a series of injections for maximum benefit. While it is not a permanent solution, it can provide enough relief to allow you to continue physical therapy and regain function.
 

When to Talk to a Specialist

The best way to determine whether this treatment is right for you is to consult a pain management specialist. At Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine, Dr. Philip performs a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, imaging results, and lifestyle factors to create a personalized treatment plan. He may recommend an epidural steroid injection if he determines it will help reduce your pain and support your recovery goals.
 

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Philip at Midwest Sports and Interventional Spine to learn if epidural steroid injections are right for you. Visit our office in Lake Geneva or Kenosha, Wisconsin, or call (262) 299-6199 to book an appointment today.