How does epidural steroid injection work?

The medicine is delivered into the epidural space, the area around the coverings of the spinal nerves. A local anaesthetic may provide short-term numbness or pain relief, while the corticosteroid is intended to settle inflammation around a nerve. This can help when nerve irritation contributes to radiating leg pain or lower back pain, including symptoms associated with sciatica or spinal stenosis.

The injection treats pain and inflammation rather than repairing a disc, widening a narrowed passage, or correcting a structural change. Relief can vary, and the response may help your clinician decide what rehabilitation or further treatment is appropriate.

A clinician reviews your symptoms, medicines, allergies, diabetes history, and any infection or bleeding concern before the procedure. Imaging guidance such as C-Arm Fluoroscopy may be used to position the needle accurately. Follow the instructions about eating, drinking, medicines, driving, and arranging help afterward. Keep activity gentle at first, then return to prescribed movement as advised; pain relief is often used to make walking and rehabilitation more manageable.

Seek urgent medical help for new or worsening leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the inner thighs, fever with increasing back pain, severe headache after the injection, or spreading redness and swelling at the injection site. Contact the treating team promptly if pain remains severe, a new rash develops, or you feel unwell after the procedure.

Ask which nerve or spinal level is being targeted, what improvement is realistic for your symptoms, how your medicines should be managed, and when to restart exercise. You can also ask what the next option would be if relief is limited, such as rehabilitation or a procedure such as microdiscectomy.