Epidural Steroid Injections in Austin, TX

The effects of an epidural steroid injection vary from patient to patient. Many people experience relief lasting from several weeks to a few months. In some cases, additional injections may be recommended to provide more sustained relief.

Pain relief may begin within two to seven days after the injection. Some patients notice improvement sooner, while others may need more time as the medication gradually reduces inflammation around the affected nerves.

The procedure is generally well tolerated. The injection site is numbed with a local anesthetic before the medication is administered, so most patients experience only mild pressure or discomfort.

Epidural steroid injections are performed under fluoroscopic guidance, which uses real-time X-ray imaging to help the physician place the medication accurately near the irritated or compressed nerve.

The number of injections depends on your condition, symptoms, and response to treatment. Some patients experience significant relief after one injection, while others may benefit from a series of injections spaced several weeks apart.

Your physician will determine whether additional injections are appropriate based on your progress and overall treatment plan.

After the procedure, patients are typically monitored for approximately 20 to 30 minutes before being discharged. Because temporary numbness, weakness, or lightheadedness may occur, patients may need someone to drive them home.

You should avoid strenuous activity for approximately 24 hours after the injection. Most patients can resume their normal daily activities the following day. Mild soreness at the injection site can often be managed with ice or an over-the-counter pain reliever, when medically appropriate.

Epidural steroid injections may delay or reduce the need for surgery by decreasing inflammation and relieving pain around irritated spinal nerves. This relief can make it easier to participate in physical therapy, remain active, and allow the affected area time to heal.

However, results vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Injections cannot correct every structural problem, and surgery may still be necessary when symptoms are severe, progressive, or associated with significant weakness or loss of function.

Physical therapy can be an important part of treating pain, but it is not a direct substitute for an epidural steroid injection. The two treatments serve different purposes and may be used together.

Epidural steroid injections are intended to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves and may provide more immediate pain relief. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening muscles, improving mobility, correcting movement patterns, and supporting long-term recovery.

Physical therapy alone may not provide sufficient relief when nerve inflammation is the primary source of pain. For some patients, combining an epidural steroid injection with physical therapy provides the best results by addressing both short-term symptoms and long-term function.

When the physicians at Greater Austin Pain Center believe physical therapy would be beneficial, patients may be referred to one of the practice’s trusted physical therapy partners in the area.

Greater Austin Pain Center offers treatment options beyond epidural steroid injections, allowing each care plan to be tailored to the patient’s condition, symptoms, and treatment goals.

Recommended treatments may include:

• Joint injections
  
• Nerve blocks
  
• Radiofrequency ablation
  
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Medication management
• Muscle relaxants, when appropriate
• Regenerative treatments for certain conditions
• Other non-surgical pain management approaches

For patients with chronic or complex pain, advanced therapies may be considered to target the source of discomfort and provide longer-lasting relief. In select cases, minimally invasive surgical procedures may also be recommended.

The goal is to combine appropriate treatments to reduce pain, restore function, improve mobility, and help patients return to their normal activities with greater comfort.