epidural steroid injection is a common procedure used to relieve pain in people with certain medical conditions. In most cases, the injection is given into the epidural space around the spinal cord. Epidural steroid injections work by blocking nerve signals from the brain, which reduces or eliminates pain. However, they can take a while to take effect. Here are four things you need to know about epidural steroid injection and its effects:
What are epidural steroid injections?
Epidural steroid injections are a type of local anesthetic injection that are used to relieve pain from various sources, including back and neck pain, sciatica, and childbirth. Epidural steroid injections take effect within minutes and last for up to two hours.
How epidural steroid injections work
Epidural steroid injections are a type of medical treatment that uses an injectable form of corticosteroid to relieve pain from conditions such as spinal cord compression, epidural hematoma, and lumbar disk herniation. The corticosteroid works by decreasing inflammation and swelling in the area it is injected into, which often leads to decreased pain sensation. Epidural steroid injections typically take effect within minutes after being administered, and can last up to several hours.
How long for epidural steroid injections to take effect?
Epidural steroid injections are often used to relieve pain from a variety of conditions, including back pain, pelvic pain, and headaches. The injections are given into the epidural space, which is the space between the spinal cord and the brain. Epidural steroid injections take effect relatively quickly, usually within a few minutes.
When to schedule an epidural steroid injection?
Epidural steroid injections are typically given to women in labor to help reduce the pain of childbirth. Epidural steroid injection generally takes effect within 30 minutes.
Side effects of epidural steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections take effect gradually over a period of hours or days. Some people experience side effects immediately after the injection, while others may not experience any symptoms for several days. Side effects most commonly include local pain and tenderness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and altered mental status (e.g., confusion, hallucinations). Occasionally, people develop serious side effects such as infection, stroke, or blood clots. It is important to speak with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: chest pain
shortness of breath
fainting
a new or worsened headache
seizures
Conclusion
Epidural steroid injections are often used to provide relief from various pain conditions, including back pain. The injection usually takes about 15 minutes to take effect, but some people experience mild side effects that can last for several hours. If you experience any of the following symptoms after receiving an epidural steroid injection, please consult your doctor immediately: severe headache, intense pain in one or more spinal cord regions, numbness or tingling in a specific area of the body, seizures.