Epidural Steroid Injections: How Can I Prepare?

Epidural Steroid Injections: How Can I Prepare?

This content was medically reviewed by Baher S. Yanni, MD, on February 3rd, 2016.

If you are having back pain, it can be for several reasons. From raking the wrong way to car accidents, your spine can get damaged and make it hard to live your life to the fullest. There is no reason to keep it that way. The good news is, you have a lot of options beyond invasive spine surgery to find relief.

In this blog, we are going to discuss epidural steroid injections, or ESIs. In this treatment, steroid medication is injected into the spine’s epidural space where there are inflamed nerves.

How Can I Prepare for an Injection?

• Don’t have anything to eat or drink for eight hours before your procedure. If you have heart or blood pressure medication, you can still take it.  
• When it comes to other medications, talk with your doctor about how to handle them.

How is the Injection Done?

• Most often, you will lay on your belly. After local anesthesia is applied, your specialist will use fluoroscopy to find the place to make the injection.
• The entire procedure takes about five to 10 minutes. You will have 15-20 minutes of recovery afterwards, and then you can go home.

The Spine INA is the premier center for spine solutions. We specialize in non-invasive spinal procedures that change lives. If you are living with chronic pain, it’s time to give us a call. We are here to help!

Read our next blog to learn more about ESIs and what you can expect if you get one!