MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 21, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
home > chronic pain center > chronic pain a-z list > epidural steroid injection index > epidural steroid injection article
Font Size
A
A
A



Epidural Steroid Injection

Medical Author: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Contributing Author: Standiford Helm II, MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD

What is an epidural steroid injection?

An epidural steroid injection is a common procedure to treat spinal nerve irritation that is caused by tissues next to the nerve pressing against it. The beginning of the nerve (nerve root) is most often irritated by an inflamed intervertebral disc, or disc contents, directly touching the spinal nerve.

Herniated Disc

[Drawing of a disc herniation compressing the spinal nerve root]

An epidural steroid injection involves bathing an inflamed nerve root in steroids (potent anti-inflammation medicine) in order to decrease the irritation of the nerve root that is causing pain.




Next: How is an epidural steroid injection performed? »

Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Discogram (Discography) - Read about discogram, or discogrpahy, a procedure used to diagnose back pain.
  • Lower Back Pain - Get information on causes of lower back pain (arthritis, pregnancy, herniated disc, sciatica, spinal stenosis, endometriosis, ovarian cysts), includes back pain treatment and diagnosis.
  • Pinched Nerve - Read about the causes of a pinched nerve such as a herniated disc, arthritis, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome and more. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment information is included.
Read more Epidural Steroid Injection related articles »

Latest Medical News


Think Your Pain Might Be Fibromyalgia?

 Lilly

Privacy Policy

Chronic Pain/Back Pain

Find tips and advances in treatment.

Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain


From WebMD

Back Pain Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Epidural Steroid Injection

Pain Management »

Introduction to pain management

Pain management can be simple or complex, depending on the cause of the pain. An example of pain that is typically less complex would be nerve root irritation from a herniated disc with pain radiating down the leg. This condition can often be alleviated with an epidural steroid injection and physical therapy. Sometimes, however, the pain does not go away. This can require a wide variety of skills and techniques to treat the pain. These skills and techniques include:

  • Interventional procedures
  • Medication management
  • Physical therapy or chiropractic therapy
  • Psychological counseling and support
  • Acupuncture and other alternative therapies; and
  • Referral to other medical specialists

All of these skills and services are necessary because pain can involve many aspects of a person's daily life.

How is pain tre...

Read the Pain Management article »




Latest Chronic Pain News


Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.