A lumbar epidural steroid injection is performed to help reduce the inflammation and pain associated with nerve root compression in the lumbar spine. Nerves can be compressed in the lumbar spine by a variety of reasons to include but not limited to herniated disc, thickened ligament, bone spurs, fracture or instability.
During a Lumbar ESI, the patient’s low back area is prepped in a sterile fashion and the skin and soft tissue down to the spine are numbed with an anesthetic. The lumbar level that has been identified pre-procedure is then targeted with the injection. Once the needle placement has been verified by x-ray, the medications – which include steroids and anesthetic – are injected, bathing the nerve root. This reduces inflammation and pain. The injection site is then wiped clean and a Band-Aid is applied. The patient is placed in a comfortable post procedure area and monitored for a short time. The patient is then released to go home with post procedure instructions and a driver.
