General Information:

Steroid injections ("Cortisone") provide diagnostic data and pain relief by delivering local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory steroid medications into the area or joint in which they are injected. They can be injected into areas around the spine such as the epidural space, facet joints, SI (sacroiliac) joints, bursa sacs, and in other peripheral joints such as hips, knee, shoulders, elbows, ankles, plantar fascia, hamstrings, trigger fingers, etc. These procedures may reduce inflammation, resulting in long-term pain relief, and provides valuable information on the source of your pain.

Epidural Injections:

For epidural or spinal injections, you may be given light sedation during your injection to help with pain and anxiety of getting the injection. Typically you will remain awake throughout the injection procedure, but you may not remember it (much like a colonoscopy). A thin needle is used guided by a fluoroscope (x-ray) to ensure proper needle placement. This allows for the maximum safety precautions that can be taken with the lowest risk of injury. A small amount of contrast material is used to verify the correct position. Upon injection of the local anesthetic and steroids, you may feel a transient pressure sensation. You may also experience some numbness for several hours after the injection. The beneficial effects of the steroids usually require 2-3 days to take effect, but can take as long as 10-14 days in some patients. Sometimes a second or third injection is required to achieve the desired level of pain relief.

What are the risks of steroid injections?

Possible risks and side effects of the steroids include facial redness, occasional low-grade fevers or flu-like symptoms, hiccups, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, increased heart rate, increased urination, generalized swelling, and abdominal cramping or bloating. These side effects occur in less than 5% of patients and commonly disappear within a few days after the injection. If your symptoms are lasting more than a week, please contact our office.

If you are a diabetic, follow your sugars carefully for a few days, as steroids can make your blood sugar rise. Small risk of infection (although the skin is cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic solution), a small amount of bleeding may occur.

Always notify your physician if you are or could be pregnant!

Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Phone: (503) 885-8008