How long epidural injections last

Serious side effects from an epidural steroid injection are rare. But they can include stroke, paralysis, or loss of vision. You may be able to relieve your symptoms by making lifestyle changes or trying other treatments, such as:.

Your doctor may recommend the shots if you've already tried other treatments for at least 6 weeks, and if you have pain that spreads down your leg. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I started feeling better soon after I had the shot. I was able to sleep through the night without waking up from pain. It really helped my energy level.

And I started taking short walks in the morning again. I have a really hard time in general recovering from procedures. I guess I'm just sensitive or something. Anyway, I'm concerned that the shots may involve more pain than they're worth. I'm going to see if my back pain gets better on its own before I decide to have these shots.

I've had terrible back pain for a month or more, and now it's spreading down my leg. I tried taking it easy, but that isn't helping. I've thought about getting the steroid shots.

But I don't want to pay for something that might not last very long. My doctor said losing some weight and trying physical therapy could help my back pain. I think I'll try those things first. I work in a retail store, and I'm on my feet all day. I have a hard time getting through the day, because my back and leg pain is so bad.

I think the shots could help me, and I'm willing to try anything. I need to be able to do my job, and any pain relief would be a welcome thing. Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

I don't care if the shots don't last. I want to try anything that might relieve my pain. I'm worried about the serious side effects, like paralysis, even though they're rare. Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers.

You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. I don't want to try treatment that might not work or that won't last. Can the shots provide short-term relief from back pain that spreads down the leg? Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

Updated visitor guidelines. Get the facts. Your options Try epidural steroid shots for low back pain. Don't try epidural steroid shots. Try medicines, physical therapy, and home treatment instead.

Key points to remember Epidural corticosteroid shots injections may give you short-term relief from back pain that runs down your leg. On average, pain relief from the shots lasts about 3 months. The shots probably won't help at all if you have general back pain or pain that does not spread down your leg. The shots may not improve your ability to do routine activities over the long term. The most common side effect is a severe headache that lasts a few days.

After the shots, your pain may get worse before it gets better. What are epidural steroid shots? How well do they work? What are the risks of epidural steroid shots?

Common guidelines recommend that if more than 4 epidural steroid injections are needed in 1 year, the underlying condition must be managed by other treatment methods. To improve the overall outcome of the procedure and reduce the risk of side effects, using a blunt needle, live fluoroscopy, and administering a small test dose initially may be helpful.

A guided physical therapy program may be combined with the epidural steroid injection treatment for an added benefit. Studies suggest that combining physical therapy with the injection treatment of herniated discs may improve the quality of pain relief and overall satisfaction in the patient.

See Physical Therapy and Exercise for Sciatica. Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection Video. Selective Nerve Root Block Injections.

You are here Treatment Injections. By Richard Staehler, MD. Peer Reviewed. Epidural Steroid Injection Video. Patel K, Upadhyayula S. Epidural Steroid Injections. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Pandey RA. J Clin Diagn Res. Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Hassan KZ, Sherman Al. Epidural Steroids. This helps your doctor determine the area to be treated.

You may be told to temporarily stop taking blood thinners. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin , clopidogrel Plavix , warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven , naproxen Aleve, Naprosyn , and heparin. You may feel some discomfort in the area where the needle was inserted. This should last only a few hours. Your pain may become worse for 2 to 3 days after the injection before it begins to improve. The steroid usually takes 2 to 3 days to work. If you receive medicines to make you sleepy during the procedure, you must arrange for someone to drive you home.

ESI provides short-term pain relief in at least one half of the people who receive it. Symptoms may remain better for weeks to months, but rarely up to a year. The procedure does not cure the cause of your back pain. You will need to continue back exercises and other treatments. Dixit R. Low back pain. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Interventional nonoperative management of neck and back pain. Benzel's Spine Surgery.

Narayan S, Dubin A. Nerve blocks: spine. Pain Management Secrets.