Do you often experience back pain, numbness, or tingling down your leg? Sometimes this pain is so severe that you can't even do your daily tasks properly. In such a situation, your doctor may have told you about a special injection. That injection is what we are going to talk about today, namely the 'Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection'. Don't worry, let's understand this very simply.
What is Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection?
Simply put, this is a special injection that is given into your lower back (lumbar region). This injection mainly contains a medicine that reduces inflammation and swelling. In medical terms, we call this a steroid or corticosteroid.
Imagine, our spinal cord is where the main nervous system that runs throughout the body runs. The small space around these spinal nerves is called the 'epidural space.' That's where the doctor injects this steroid.
The main purpose of this is to control the inflammation and chronic pain caused by compression or injury of the spinal nerve roots. We call this pain `(Lumbar Radiculopathy)`. Many people know this by the name `Sciatica` .
How does this injection reduce pain?
To understand this, let's first learn a little about our spine.
Our spine is made up of a stack of small bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. Between these bones, like the 'shock absorbers' in a car, there is a cushion. We call these 'vertebral discs' or 'disks' . These discs are what allow us to bend, extend, and twist our spines.
Sometimes, the jelly-like material inside a disc can bulge out and press on a nearby nerve. Or, with age, the space inside the spine can become smaller and the nerve can become compressed. This is when the nerve becomes swollen and inflamed, causing that severe pain.
Now, look, the doctor injects that steroid shot directly into the swollen and inflamed nerve. Then, the power of that medicine reduces the swelling and inflammation in the nerve. Then, the pressure on the nerve is also reduced. This is what gives you relief from your pain.
The important thing is that the pain relief from this injection is often temporary. Some people may have relief for three months or more, but for others, the pain may return in less time.
Who is this vaccine suitable for?
Doctors usually recommend this injection for sciatica, which is pain caused by nerve compression in the spine. That is:
- Pain that radiates from the back through the buttocks and down the leg
- Tingling or numbness in the legs
- Weakness in the leg muscles
There are several main causes of these symptoms. See the table below.
| Medical condition | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Lumbar Herniated Disk | A disc between the vertebrae bulges out and presses on a nerve. This is called a 'herniated disc'. |
| Lumbar Spinal Stenosis | Narrowing of the canal (the passageway for nerves) inside the spinal cord, which can cause nerve compression. |
| Lumbar Osteoarthritis | With age, the joints and bones of the spine wear down, narrowing the openings through which nerves pass, causing nerve compression. |
| Degenerative Disk Disease | With age, the discs between the vertebrae wear out, causing inflammation of the nerves. |
How does the vaccination process work?
Many people are a little scared of this, because the thought of getting an injection in the back can be a little scary. But this is done very carefully and by a trained specialist (such as a physiatrist, anesthesiologist, or radiologist). So there's nothing to be afraid of.
Preparation before vaccination
- You should tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (especially blood thinners ).
- If you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant, you must inform us, as an X-ray will be used during this procedure.
- You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the injection.
- If you are given a sedative, you will be asked to bring someone to take you home.
At the time of vaccination
This process usually takes about 15-30 minutes.
1. You will be laid on your stomach on a special bed.
2. The vaccination site is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
3. Next, the doctor uses a special X-ray machine called fluoroscopy to see exactly where the needle needs to be inserted. This is like a live X-ray video.
4. Then, a small injection is given to numb the area so that you don't feel much pain when the larger needle is inserted.
5. Once the needle is in the right place, that is, in the epidural space, the doctor will inject a small amount of contrast dye. This will confirm that the needle is in the right place, and not in a blood vessel or anywhere else.
6. Finally, the doctor carefully injects the steroid medicine.
7. When the procedure is finished, you will be asked to rest for a while, with a small plaster applied to the injection site. Make sure you are not allergic to the medication.
Are there any side effects or risks?
As with any medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects, but these are very rare.
| Minor side effects | When to seek immediate medical advice |
|---|---|
|
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). |
Because continuous and frequent injections of these steroids can weaken the bones of the spine, doctors generally do not recommend more than two or three injections per year.
Take-Home Message
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection is a special injection given to reduce inflammation and pain caused by spinal nerve compression.
- This is a very effective way to provide temporary pain relief for conditions like sciatica.
- This injection does not completely 'cure' the pain. However, the relief it provides will help you start physiotherapy exercises and carry out your daily activities.
- This is a generally safe procedure performed by a trained specialist.
- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully before and after the vaccination. If you have any concerns or fears, talk to him/her openly about them.
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