What to Expect: A Minimally Invasive Path Toward Pain Relief
Epidural steroid injections are minimally invasive procedures that do not require general anesthesia or an overnight stay. Most patients do not require sedation, though it is available when needed. The skin at the injection site is cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic before the steroid medication is introduced into the epidural space, so the most discomfort most patients report is a brief stinging or burning sensation at the site. If you feel anything beyond a mild pressure, an additional local anaesthetic can be applied.
Because steroid medication takes time to work, pain relief is not always immediate. The corticosteroid typically begins to reduce inflammation within two to three days, with effects often peaking around two weeks after the injection. Patients can generally expect some degree of pain relief lasting approximately three months from a single injection. Individual results vary, and your care team will work with you to evaluate how well the treatment is working and whether additional epidural injections or other minimally invasive therapies designed for your specific condition are appropriate.
After the procedure, most patients can walk around right away and typically resume full activity the following day. Plan to have someone drive you home from our Dripping Springs pain management center on the day of the injection, as driving and strenuous activity should be avoided for 24 hours. If any soreness develops afterward, ice or a mild analgesic can help manage it during the short recovery time.
For patients who achieve significant relief from epidural steroid injections but find that pain returns over time, additional interventional pain treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, nerve ablation, spinal cord stimulation, or regenerative medicine may be explored as part of your ongoing care plan. Your GAPC provider can also coordinate with your primary care physician and, when appropriate, refer you to physical therapy to support your progress between visits.
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