What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection? Benefits, Risks, and Recovery
November 21, 2025
Understanding Epidural Steroid Injections
If you’ve been living with chronic back or neck pain, you’re not alone, these are some of the most common reasons people visit a pain management specialist. When inflammation in the spine puts pressure on nearby nerves, it can cause radiating pain, numbness, or tingling that affects your ability to move comfortably.
One of the most effective and minimally invasive treatments for this type of pain is an epidural steroid injection (ESI). This procedure delivers powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of pain helping you find relief without surgery or long recovery times.
At Greater Austin Pain Center, our team uses advanced fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to perform epidural steroid injections with precision and safety, providing targeted relief for patients across Austin, Kyle, San Marcos, and Dripping Springs.
What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection is a type of spinal injection designed to reduce inflammation in the epidural space, the area surrounding the spinal nerves and spinal cord. When this space becomes irritated due to conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease, inflammation can compress nerves and cause pain that radiates through the back, legs, neck, or arms.
The injection typically contains:
- A corticosteroid (to reduce inflammation)
- A local anesthetic (to provide immediate, short-term relief)
- A saline solution (to help flush out inflammatory substances)
By directly targeting the inflamed nerves, epidural steroid injections can reduce swelling, relieve pressure, and help restore mobility.
Who Can Benefit from an Epidural Steroid Injection?
ESIs are often recommended for patients experiencing nerve-related (radicular) pain, especially when conservative treatments like physical therapy, rest, or medications haven’t provided lasting relief.
Common conditions that may benefit from an ESI include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Sciatica or leg pain caused by nerve compression
- Degenerative disc disease
- Chronic neck or low back pain
- Post-surgical pain or recurrent inflammation
The Procedure: What to Expect
Before Your Injection
Your provider will review your medical history, medications, and imaging studies to determine the best approach for your condition. If you take blood thinners or have diabetes, you may receive special pre-procedure instructions.
You’ll need someone to drive you home afterward, as temporary numbness or weakness may occur.
During the Procedure
The entire process typically takes 10–20 minutes and is performed in an outpatient pain clinic.
- You’ll lie face down on a procedure table.
- The skin around the injection site will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic.
- Using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging), your provider will carefully guide a thin needle into the epidural space.
- Once proper placement is confirmed with contrast dye, the medication is injected.
Most patients describe a feeling of mild pressure rather than pain during the procedure.
After the Injection
You’ll be monitored briefly before going home the same day. Mild soreness at the injection site is normal and usually resolves within a day or two.
Patients may notice immediate relief from the anesthetic, with full effects developing over several days as the steroid reduces inflammation.
How Long Does Pain Relief Last?
Relief from an epidural steroid injection can last anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the individual and the underlying cause of pain.
For some patients, one injection provides significant and lasting relief. Others may benefit from a series of injections spaced a few weeks apart as part of a broader treatment plan.
Your provider at Greater Austin Pain Center will assess your response and recommend the next steps based on your progress.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections are a trusted, widely used treatment for back and neck pain relief offering several advantages over more invasive options.
Targeted Inflammation Relief
The medication is delivered directly to the site of inflammation, providing faster and more effective results than oral steroids.
Minimally Invasive with Little Downtime
The procedure requires only a small needle and is done in-office, allowing most patients to resume normal activity within 24 hours.
Reduced Need for Surgery or Opioids
For many patients, ESIs delay or even eliminate the need for surgical intervention while reducing dependence on pain medications.
Improved Mobility and Function
By reducing nerve irritation, patients often regain the ability to move more comfortably, engage in physical therapy, and return to daily activities.
Risks and Side Effects
When performed by a qualified pain specialist using fluoroscopic guidance, epidural steroid injections are considered very safe. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, including:
- Temporary soreness or numbness at the injection site
- Headache or dizziness
- Elevated blood sugar (in diabetic patients)
- Mild insomnia or facial flushing from steroids
Serious complications are extremely rare, especially when the procedure is performed with proper technique and sterile precautions.
Your provider will discuss your medical history and any potential risks prior to treatment to ensure the procedure is safe for you.
Maximizing Results: Recovery and Aftercare
To get the most out of your epidural steroid injection:
- Take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure to avoid strenuous activity.
- Apply ice to the injection site if it’s sore.
- Track your pain relief and share results at your follow-up visit.
- Continue physical therapy if prescribed to strengthen muscles and prevent future flare-ups.
Combining injections with a comprehensive pain management plan including exercise, posture correction, and lifestyle adjustments can lead to longer-lasting relief and better spine health overall.
Advanced Precision at Greater Austin Pain Center
At Greater Austin Pain Center, our experienced pain management specialists use fluoroscopy-guided epidural injections to ensure pinpoint accuracy and patient safety. Each treatment plan is tailored to your specific condition, goals, and level of pain.
Our goal is not only to relieve your pain but also to help you regain mobility, improve function, and enhance your quality of life without unnecessary surgery.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Relief
If chronic back or neck pain is keeping you from living comfortably, an epidural steroid injection may help you find the relief you’ve been looking for.
At Greater Austin Pain Center, our experienced pain management team provides personalized, evidence-based treatments designed to help you move, work, and live more comfortably.
Schedule your consultation today at one of our convenient locations in Austin, Kyle, San Marcos, or Dripping Springs. Together, we can find safer, more effective solutions for lasting pain relief.
