Pain Management & Interventional Spine
Epidural Steroid Injections
An epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medicine directly to the irritated nerves of the spine. Guided by X-ray for precision, it can quiet sciatica, back, and neck pain within days and is typically done in minutes.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
15 to 30 minutes
Anesthesia
Local, optional light sedation
Recovery
About 1 hour
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
An epidural steroid injection places anti-inflammatory medication directly into the space around irritated spinal nerve roots, where oral medication rarely reaches in sufficient concentration.
Fluoroscopic guidance with contrast confirms precise placement before any medication is delivered.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Sciatica or radiating arm pain from a disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis with leg pain on walking
- Pain that persists despite therapy and medication
- Preparation to participate in physical therapy
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Positioning and imaging
You lie face down, the skin is numbed, and X-ray guidance identifies the exact level to treat.
Injection
Contrast confirms correct spread, then steroid and anesthetic are delivered to the affected nerve root.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Numbness or improved pain within hours from the anesthetic, with steroid effect building over three to seven days.
Resume normal activity the next day and use the window of relief to advance therapy.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
How many can I have?
Typically up to three per year, spaced by response, though the plan is individualized.
Will I be asleep?
Most patients need only local anesthetic. Light sedation is available if you prefer.
Is epidural steroid injection done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
