Epidural Steroid Injections
ESIs or epidural steroid injections are a type of interventional pain medicine that can be used to treat various conditions that cause chronic spinal pain, including sciatica. ESIs are sometimes referred to as epidural corticosteroid injections or cortisone shots. They are usually performed as outpatient procedures and only take a few minutes to administer.
Epidural steroid injections deliver steroids directly to the affected areas of the spine. The steroids help reduce inflammation and swelling around the nerves, which eases pressure on the Sciatic nerve and relieves pain. The medication used in epidural steroid injections is a long-acting local anesthetic and corticosteroid.
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can provide significant symptom relief when used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. Local anesthetics work by numbing the area around the injection site, providing immediate pain relief that lasts several hours.
Most people report significant pain relief after receiving an epidural steroid injection. The degree of comfort varies from person to person, but it is not uncommon for patients to experience relief for several weeks or even months after a single injection.
