Epidural Steroid Injections

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections​

Cervical epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are a frequently used treatment for neck and cervical radicular pain. Headaches and cervical spinal stenosis may also benefit from this treatment modality.

Cervical radiculitis results from nerve compression in the neck (cervical spine) that causes radiating pain down an arm. The pain originates from cervical spinal nerves becoming irritated as they exit the spinal cord. The symptoms of cervical radiculitis often include numbness, tingling, and pain. Cervical radiculitis can be caused by bulging cervical discs or cervical spondylosis. Both causes can often be effectively treated with CESIs.​

CESIs involve injecting a steroid under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance into the epidural space of the cervical spinal canal where irritated nerve roots are located. This medication reduces inflammation and irritation.​

Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections​

Thoracic epidural steroid injections (TESIs) are used for treatment of mid back and thoracic radicular pain. ​

Thoracic radiculitis results from nerve compression in the mid back (thoracic spine) that can cause radiating pain around the side and into the chest/abdomen. Thoracic radiculitis can be caused by bulging thoracic discs or thoracic spondylosis. Both causes can often be effectively treated with TESIs.​

TESIs involve injecting steroid under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance into the epidural space of the thoracic spinal canal where irritated nerve roots are located. This medication reduces inflammation and irritation.​

Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections​

Lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESIs) are used for treatment of low back and lumbar radicular pain. ​

Lumbar radiculitis results from nerve compression in the low back (lumbar spine) that can cause back and radiating pain down the legs. Lumbar radiculitis can be caused by bulging lumbar discs or lumbar spondylosis. Both causes can often be effectively treated with LESIs.​

LESIs involve injecting steroid under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance into the epidural space of the lumbar spinal canal where irritated nerve roots are located. This medication reduces inflammation and irritation.​

Caudal Epidural Steroid Injections

Caudal epidural steroid are used for treatment of low back and lumbar/sacral radicular pain. Caudal epidurals are often performed for sacral radicular pain or lumbar radicular pain in the setting of prior lumbar spine surgery.​

Lumbosacral radiculitis results from nerve compression in the low back (lumbar/ sacral spine) that can cause back and radiating pain down the buttocks or legs. ​

Caudal epidural steroid injections involve an injection through the tail bone area into the epidural space. The entire procedure is performed using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance. The steroid that is injected helps to reduces inflammation and irritation.​

Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections

Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are used for low back and leg pain. As opposed to a lumbar epidural steroid injection, it is a more targeted therapy for specific nerve roots. It is usually performed when there is tightening (stenosis) where the nerve roots exit (foramen). ​

TFESIs are performed by inserting a small needle under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance into the foraminal space near the nerve root. Contrast dye is used to confirm the location of the needle. Steroid and local anesthetic are then injected. The local anesthetic provides diagnostic information while the steroid reduces inflammation and irritation.​