Epidural Steroid Injections For Treating Lower Back Pain
Epidural steroid injections are a common method of treating lower back pain and/or leg pain associated with sciatica or other conditions that cause pain in the back.
Radicular pain, especially, may benefit from this treatment method. Radicular pain is that which radiates from its point of origin, as in pain that begins in the lower back and “shoots down” the leg, for example. Such pain may be commonly caused by nerve root inflammation, herniated disc(s), spinal stenosis, a compression fracture of the spine, or facet syndrome.
Usually, epidural injections are not the first method of treatment. Most patients who suffer from lower back pain and/or leg pain, are first given less invasive treatment options; many have adequate results from those therapies. Less-invasive techniques for back pain include taking medications. Medications prescribed would likely be NSAIDS such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), analgesics such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Bayer aspirin. These medicines may or may not be used in combination with prescription medications such as pain relievers or muscle relaxants. In addition to medications, you are also likely to try physical therapy, which may include treatment in a pool and exercises done both at the therapy office and at home. Chiropractic treatments and homeopathic treatments may also be worth considering, as is avoiding overly strenuous activities and using heat and/or cold therapy on the affected area.
If the above treatments are not effective for your pain, the next step may be the epidural steroid injections. With these injections, the doctor uses a needle and syringe to inject steroids or corticosteroids very close to the site of the pain, rather than simply having the patient take oral steroid medications. Many patients find the relief they need with therapy that includes the spinal injections, however many doctors feel that these steroid injections only offer temporary relief and do not prescribe the injections more than a few times a year. The reason is epidural steroid injections can have side effects such as decreased bone density, weakened muscles, and a lowering of the body's naturally occurring steroids.
Be sure to talk to your physician before considering epidural steroid injections for back pain so that you know all your options and the risks involved.