Epidural Steroid Injections for Spinal Stenosis Relief
At VeriSpine Joint Centers, we focus on easing chronic pain and supporting recovery from injuries with patient-centered care and evidence-based methods. We offer interventional pain procedures, including image-guided epidural steroid injections, combined with physical therapy, rehabilitation, and regenerative medicine to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and restore function. We serve communities across Metro Atlanta, including Roswell, and support personal injury, auto accident, workers’ compensation, and federal OWCP cases with expert medical care and trusted guidance.
Epidural steroid injections are a proven option for reducing pain and inflammation caused by spinal stenosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, and related conditions. By delivering steroid medication directly into the epidural space around irritated nerve roots, this minimally invasive treatment can provide temporary pain relief and improve mobility.
At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, patients receive precise, image-guided care from specialists in pain management to help them return to normal activities with less discomfort.
Understanding Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that can cause significant pain and limit daily activities. It develops when the spaces within the spine become too small, creating pressure on nerves and affecting movement.
What Spinal Stenosis Means
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal becomes narrow. This narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. In many cases, the lower spine or lumbar spine is affected, which is called lumbar spinal stenosis. The narrowing can also happen in the neck, but lumbar cases are more common in adults with chronic low back pain.
Common Symptoms
Patients often experience pain in the lower back or legs. Leg pain may worsen when walking or standing for long periods, a symptom known as neurogenic claudication. Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the legs can also occur. In severe cases, there may be weakness in the legs or problems with balance. These symptoms are caused by pressure on nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
Causes of Spinal Stenosis
The most common cause is age-related changes in the spine. Arthritis can lead to bone growths that narrow the spinal canal. Disc herniation, ligament thickening, and bone loss can also reduce space in the epidural space. These changes increase local inflammation and irritate nerves, which can cause chronic pain.
Why It Matters for Pain Relief
Understanding the source of pain is important for treatment planning. By identifying how and where the spinal canal is narrowing, doctors can choose treatments such as epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, we use imaging like magnetic resonance imaging to pinpoint the cause before starting any pain management procedure.
How Epidural Steroid Injections Work
Epidural steroid injections are a pain management treatment that can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for patients with spinal stenosis and related conditions.
Targeting the Epidural Space
The injection is placed in the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. This location allows the steroid medication to reach areas where nerve roots are irritated or compressed. By delivering the medication directly to the source, inflammation can be reduced more effectively.
Role of Steroid Medication and Local Anesthetic
Steroid medication works to decrease local inflammation around the spinal nerves. A local anesthetic is often included to numb the area and provide immediate but temporary pain relief. While the numbing medicine may wear off in a few hours, the steroid effect builds over several days and can offer longer-lasting improvement.
Procedure Guidance and Precision
Epidural steroid injections are performed using imaging guidance such as fluoroscopy or x rays to ensure accurate placement of the epidural needle. The doctor identifies the exact location in the lumbar spine or lumbosacral spine where the injection will reduce pressure on irritated nerves. This precision helps improve results and lowers the risk of complications.
Expected Results and Limitations
Pain relief from epidural injections can last from several weeks to a few months. Some patients require repeated steroid injections for ongoing relief. While the treatment can improve mobility and reduce pain, it is not a permanent cure for spinal stenosis. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, epidural steroid injections are often combined with physical therapy and other pain management methods to support long-term improvement.
Candidates for Epidural Steroid Injections
Not every patient with back or leg pain needs an epidural steroid injection. Certain conditions and symptoms make this treatment more appropriate.
Patients with Nerve-Related Pain
Candidates often have pain caused by irritated or compressed nerve roots in the lumbar spine. This pain may be due to spinal stenosis, disc herniation, or degenerative changes in the lower spine. Leg pain, numbness, or tingling that worsens with standing or walking can indicate nerve pressure.
Diagnostic Confirmation
A diagnosis should be supported by medical imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging or x rays. These tests help confirm narrowing of the spinal canal or problems in the epidural space. A physical exam and medical history are also important for identifying the source of pain.
When Injections Are Recommended
Epidural steroid injections may be considered when chronic low back pain, lumbar spinal stenosis, or neurogenic claudication limits normal activities. They are often recommended before open surgery or minimally invasive lumbar decompression. This approach can provide pain relief and allow patients to participate in physical therapy.
Health Considerations
Some patients may not be good candidates due to bleeding disorders, uncontrolled medical conditions, or recent infections. Careful evaluation at a pain management center is important to reduce risks. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, each patient receives a full assessment to ensure the procedure is safe and likely to help reduce pain.
The Procedure at VeriSpine Joint Centers
Epidural steroid injections at VeriSpine Joint Centers are performed with precision to reduce pain and improve mobility for patients with spinal stenosis and related conditions.
Pre-Procedure Evaluation
Every patient receives a full medical history review and physical exam. Imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging or x rays may be used to confirm the source of pain. The doctor explains the procedure, answers questions, and provides specific instructions to follow before the appointment.
Preparing the Injection Site
The patient lies on a procedure table in a position that allows clear access to the lower spine. The skin over the injection site is cleaned to reduce the risk of infection. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the skin and surrounding tissue so the patient remains comfortable.
Needle Placement and Medication Delivery
Using fluoroscopy or x ray guidance, the doctor carefully positions the epidural needle into the epidural space near the irritated nerve roots. A contrast dye may be used to confirm correct placement. The steroid medication, often combined with a numbing medicine, is then injected to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients can go home the same day. It is common to experience mild soreness at the injection site for a short time. Instructions are provided on how to care for the area and when to resume normal activities. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, follow-up visits are scheduled to assess results and decide if additional treatments are needed to manage chronic pain.
Benefits and Limitations
Epidural steroid injections can be an important part of managing pain from spinal stenosis, but they have both strengths and boundaries.
Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections
The primary benefit is reduced pain caused by inflammation around the spinal nerves. This relief can make walking, standing, and daily activities easier. By decreasing irritation in the epidural space, the injections can improve mobility and help patients return to physical therapy. Pain relief can last from several weeks to a few months, allowing more time for other treatments to work. For some patients, injections can delay or help avoid the need for surgery.
Limitations of the Treatment
Epidural steroid injections do not cure spinal stenosis or reverse narrowing of the spinal canal. Pain relief is often temporary and may require repeated steroid injections to maintain improvement. Some patients may not respond as well as others, depending on the cause and severity of their condition. The treatment is most effective when combined with other pain management methods, such as physical medicine, exercise programs, or minimally invasive lumbar decompression.
The Role of Comprehensive Pain Management
A single injection is rarely a complete solution for chronic low back pain or neurogenic claudication. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, epidural steroid injections are used as part of a wider pain management plan. This approach addresses inflammation, restores function, and supports long-term spine health while reducing the need for more invasive procedures.
Risks and Considerations
Epidural steroid injections are generally safe when performed by experienced specialists, but like all medical procedures, they carry some risks.
Common Side Effects
Mild soreness or tenderness at the injection site is common and usually fades within a few days. Some patients may notice a temporary increase in pain before improvement begins. Other short-term effects can include headache, flushing, or a brief change in blood sugar levels for patients with diabetes.
Potential Complications
Although rare, more serious complications can occur. These include infection, bleeding, allergic reactions, dural puncture, or nerve injury. The use of imaging guidance and sterile technique greatly reduces these risks. Patients with bleeding disorders or active infections may not be candidates for the procedure.
Safety Measures at VeriSpine Joint Centers
Before treatment, each patient undergoes a full medical history review and physical exam to identify any conditions that could increase risk. The procedure is performed using precise imaging guidance to ensure correct needle placement in the epidural space. At VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell, safety protocols are followed at every step to protect patients while providing effective pain relief.
Take the Next Step Toward Pain Relief With Verispine Joint Centers!
If back or leg pain from spinal stenosis is limiting your daily life, our team at VeriSpine Joint Centers in Roswell is ready to help. We specialize in image-guided epidural steroid injections and comprehensive pain management to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and restore function.
Contact us at 678-782-7999 today to schedule your free consultation!
