Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

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Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

A lumbar epidural steroid injection is a treatment for managing chronic spinal pain. Doctors usually inject the steroid near an inflamed nerve root in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine. They make the injection through an opening on the side of the spine where a nerve root exits.

How it works

When nerves are compressed by ruptured discs, spine abnormalities, or narrowing of the spinal canal, they can become pinched and inflamed. Sometimes this pain spreads to the legs or feet. The inflammation often can be relieved by injecting a steroid and numbing medicine (local anesthetic) near these nerves. A single injection may relieve the pain, but most patients require up to three injections.

Why choose UAB

Treating pain effectively requires comprehensive and specialized care. The physicians and staff with the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine offer the latest in pain management techniques. Our work is backed by the expertise, knowledge, and research of one of the country’s largest and most respected academic medical centers. In the hospital and in our clinics, we carefully consider the needs of each patient when designing a treatment plan.

Relief from pain is critical to your recovery and well-being. Our program puts less emphasis on opioid medications and instead works to find the best combination of techniques to help you enjoy life. These may include daily exercise, better nutrition, and stress reduction through cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques.

Research and support

The care we provide is supported by imaging-guided procedures, physical therapy, psychological assistance, medication, and ongoing consults with your primary care physician. We work closely with the UAB departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Palliative Care to provide complete care for our patients.

As a leading academic medical center, research is a key part of our mission. Our innovative physicians and researchers advance the field of pain management by exploring new treatments, including some that are not yet available elsewhere.