Spinal injection for back pain
epidural steroid injection · nerve block · spinal injection · facet joint injection · back pain injection
The doctor injects a numbing medicine, sometimes with a steroid, near a nerve or a joint of the spine. This reduces pain and inflammation.
For severe back or neck pain that spreads to an arm or leg, or a herniated disc, when pills and exercise therapy help little.
⏱ Duration: usually 15 to 30 minutes, plus 20 to 30 minutes of observation; the effect lasts from a few hours to several days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food. A light breakfast is usually fine. Check with the clinic.
- Images. Bring your back MRI or CT. They are used to choose the spot.
- Getting home. Your leg may go numb after the procedure. It is best to have someone drive you home.
What to bring
- Your referral and MRI or CT
- A list of your medicines
- Someone to take you home
How it goes
- You lie on your stomach or side
- The skin is cleaned with antiseptic
- Sometimes the skin is numbed first
- The doctor inserts a thin needle, often with X-ray or ultrasound guidance
- The medicine is injected slowly
- The needle is removed, and a bandage is put on
- You lie for a while under observation
What you'll feel
- A prick and pressure
- Sometimes your familiar pain gets briefly worse. This means the needle is near the nerve
- Warmth or numbness in your back or leg
Afterwards
- The numbness wears off in a few hours. Be careful when walking
- Do not drive on the day of the procedure
- For the first 1 to 2 days, the pain may even get worse, then it usually gets better
- Keep doing your exercises as your doctor says
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Weakness in the legs, numbness between the legs, or trouble with peeing or bowel movements: call emergency services
- A fever over 38°C (100.4°F), or severe back pain at the injection site
- A severe headache that gets better when you lie down
Common questions
Does the injection cure a herniated disc?
No. It relieves pain and inflammation so you can move and continue treatment.
How many injections can I have?
Your doctor decides. Usually these injections are not done often. Breaks are needed between them.