Epidural Steroid Injections in San Marcos, TX

What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection and How Does It Work?

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) uses a corticosteroid to target inflammation directly in the affected area. By reducing inflammation around your spinal nerves, these injections help alleviate acute or chronic pain and discomfort. The corticosteroid works by flushing out the proteins that cause swelling, offering pain relief from the pressure on your nerves.

Targeting Low Back Pain with Lumbar Corticosteroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections are a minimally invasive treatment designed to alleviate pain in the back, neck, arms, and legs. The procedure involves injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space, which is located just outside the protective membrane of the spinal cord. Most patients experience significant pain relief lasting several months from a single injection. The primary goal is to reduce discomfort, allowing you to return to your normal activities pain-free.

Woman at elevators in front of San Antonio Eye Specialists sign.

What Types of Pain Can Epidural Steroid Injections Help Treat?

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat a range of chronic pain conditions, especially those involving inflammation or nerve irritation in the spine. By delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected area, this treatment can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
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One of the most common uses is for neck pain and lower back pain, as well as leg pain, particularly when the discomfort is caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes in the spine. These conditions can place pressure on nearby nerves, leading to persistent pain that does not improve with rest alone.

Epidural injections are also highly effective for nerve pain, including symptoms like burning, tingling, or numbness that radiate into the arms or legs. This type of pain is often associated with conditions such as sciatica, lumbar radiculopathy, or cervical radiculopathy where irritated nerves create discomfort beyond the spine itself.

In addition, patients dealing with chronic inflammation or injury-related pain may benefit from this treatment. Whether the pain stems from a past injury, repetitive strain, or age-related wear and tear, these injections can help calm inflammation and support the healing process.

The goal of epidural steroid injections is not only treating chronic pain but also restoring function, making it easier to return to daily activities with greater comfort. Each patient’s condition is carefully evaluated to determine if this approach is the right fit for their specific symptoms and long-term needs.

What Conditions Do Epidural Steroid Injections Treat?

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat a variety of spinal conditions that cause inflammation, nerve compression, and radiating pain. These conditions often affect the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine and can lead to discomfort in the neck, arms, lower back, and legs. By targeting inflammation around the spinal nerves, epidural injections help reduce pain and improve overall function.

These injections are beneficial for patients experiencing pain in the neck, arms, lower back, or legs, and are commonly used to treat the following conditions:

Spinal stenosis
Sciatica
Herniated disc
Degenerative disc disease
Nerve-related pain
Thoracic radiculopathy
Lumbar radiculopathy
Cervical radiculopathy

What to Expect During the Epidural Steroid Injection Process in San Marcos, TX

Epidural steroid injections are a quick and non-invasive procedure. After cleaning the injection site, the steroid is injected into the targeted area, usually the spinal canal. Most patients don’t need an anesthetic, although sedation is available if necessary.

Different Types of Epidural Steroid Injections For Pain Management

Interlaminar Injection

The most commonly used ESI, this type involves inserting a needle into the back, allowing the steroid to spread across a wider area in the epidural space.

Caudal Injection

Delivered through the sacral hiatus, near the tailbone, this type of injection is placed lower in the back, specifically targeting the bottom of the epidural space.

Transforaminal Injection (Nerve Block)

Often referred to as a “nerve block,” this approach involves placing the needle near the nerve's exit point from the spinal column. The steroid is delivered into the epidural space from the side, providing more focused relief.

The Epidural Steroid Injection Process

Schedule an Appointment

Contact our San Marcos clinic to schedule your appointment. You can either call us directly or complete our online form, and a team member will follow up to confirm your visit.

Initial Evaluation

During your initial consultation, we’ll review your medical history, current medications, and any past imaging, such as X-rays. This helps us develop the best plan for your epidural steroid injection.

The Injection Procedure

The epidural steroid injection is a quick, 30-minute procedure. After cleaning and numbing the skin on your lower back, we’ll inject the steroid solution into the epidural space to target the area causing your pain.

Quick Post-Treatment Recovery

Most patients are able to walk immediately after the injection. You can typically return to your usual activities the following day. If you experience any mild soreness, applying ice or taking a mild pain reliever should help.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."

Genia G.

"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"

Maggie G.

"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."

Nancy M.

Meet Our San Marcos Pain Specialists

At Greater Austin Pain Center's San Marcos pain clinic, patients are cared for by experienced pain management specialists and board certified physicians focused on diagnosing and treating the root cause of discomfort, not just the symptoms. The team has extensive experience managing spine-related conditions, nerve pain, and joint issues, with a strong understanding of how chronic pain impacts daily life.
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Each provider takes a personalized approach to care, combining clinical expertise with a focus on patient goals. Whether you are dealing with back pain, neck pain, knee pain, or radiating nerve pain, the team works to create a treatment plan that supports both short-term relief and long-term improvement.

Using advanced diagnostic tools and the latest minimally invasive techniques, the San Marcos specialists offer treatments such as epidural steroid injections, image-guided procedures, and other targeted therapies designed to reduce inflammation and restore function.

From the initial consultation through ongoing care, the focus is on helping patients move more comfortably, return to normal activities, and improve overall quality of life.

Alan Silberberg, MD

Board Certified By The American Board Of Anesthesiology In Pain Medicine And Anesthesiology

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Timothy Bednar, MD

Board Certified By The American Board Of Anesthesiology In Pain Medicine And Anesthesiology

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Kristin Jarzombek, MD

Board Certified By The American Board Of Anesthesiology In Pain Medicine And Anesthesiology

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Jonathan Julia, MD

Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology

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Alexander Hynes, DO

Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology

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Elizabeth Marquez, FNP

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Member of American and Texas Associations of Nurse Practitioners

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Mallory Mckeel, FNP

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Member of American and Texas Associations of Nurse Practitioners

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Brandi Juarez, FNP

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Member of American and Texas Associations of Nurse Practitioners

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Middle-aged woman with curly brown hair wearing a white medical coat and teal scrubs, smiling gently against a plain white background.

Griselda Pulido, FNP

Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and Member of American and Texas Associations of Nurse Practitioners

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Tara Hanson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a well-rounded background in both clinical and hospital settings

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Robin Morgan, FNP

Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive clinical experience

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an epidural steroid injection last?

The effects of an epidural steroid injection can vary from patient to patient. Most people experience relief lasting from several weeks to a few months. In some cases, additional injections may be needed for prolonged relief.

Are epidural steroid injections painful?

The procedure is typically well-tolerated. The injection site is numbed before the steroid is administered, so most patients experience only mild discomfort during the injection.

How many injections will I need?

This depends on your individual condition and response to treatment. Some patients find significant relief after just one injection, while others may need a series of injections spaced several weeks apart.

What should I do after the injection?

You should avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours after your injection. Most patients can resume normal daily activities the next day, and any mild soreness can be managed with ice or over-the-counter pain relievers.

Can physical therapy be a substitute for epidural steroid injections?

Physical therapy can be an important part of treating pain, but it is not a direct substitute for epidural steroid injections. These treatments serve different purposes and work in different ways.

Epidural steroid injections are designed to quickly reduce inflammation around irritated nerves, which can provide more immediate pain relief. Physical therapy, on the other hand, focuses on strengthening muscles, improving mobility, and supporting long-term recovery.

In many cases, physical therapy alone may not provide the same level of relief, especially when nerve inflammation is the main source of pain. For some patients, a combination of both treatments offers the best results by addressing both short-term pain and long-term function. If the doctors at Greater Austin Pain Center think physical therapy may be helpful to you, you’ll be referred to one of our partnered and trusted physical therapists in the area.

What Other Treatment Options Are Offered by Greater Austin Pain Center?

Greater Austin Pain Center offers a wide range of treatment options beyond epidural steroid injections, allowing care plans to be tailored to each patient’s specific condition and level of pain.

Options for treatment may include joint injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation, which target the source of pain to provide longer-lasting relief. For patients dealing with chronic or complex conditions, advanced therapies such as spinal cord stimulation may also be recommended.

In addition to interventional procedures, the team may incorporate medication management and other non-surgical approaches to support recovery and improve mobility. Regenerative treatments may also be considered for certain conditions to help promote healing.

The goal is to combine the right treatments to reduce pain, restore function, and help patients return to their normal activities with greater comfort. Each plan is built around the individual, ensuring care is both effective and appropriate for long-term results.