What are the side effects of epidural steroid injections?

Asked by: Simone Walker

What are the side effects of epidural steroid injections? Common side effects include mild injection site pain, temporary worsening of usual pain, flushing, insomnia, or increased blood sugar. These are usually self-limited and resolve within one to three days. A less common side effect is headache.

What should you not do after an epidural steroid injection?

Do not drive within 12 hours of receiving your epidural injection. Do not apply heat right to the injection site for at least three days following the epidural. This includes steam rooms, saunas, and hot packs, but your regular shower is safe.

Can epidurals cause long-term problems?

While it’s very rare, having an epidural procedure can lead to some long-term complications, including: Permanent neurologic deficit due to spinal cord or nerve root damage from the epidural injection. Chronic pain due to due to spinal cord or nerve root damage from the epidural injection.

What are the side effects of epidural injection?

Side effects Epidural

• Low blood pressure. It’s normal for your blood pressure to fall a little when you have an epidural. …
• Loss of bladder control. …
• Itchy skin. …
• Feeling sick. …
• Inadequate pain relief. …
• Headache. …
• Slow breathing. …
• Temporary nerve damage.

What is the most common side effect of an epidural?

Potential side effects of an epidural may include headache, soreness, urination problems, and a decrease in blood pressure. While long-term complications are extremely rare, they may result in permanent nerve damage and persistent numbness and tingling.

What is the difference between a cortisone shot and an epidural steroid injection?

Cortisone and epidural injections are one in the same, they both contain a powerful anti-inflammatory medication, known as a corticosteroid, an anesthetic, such as lidocaine, and a saline solution. An epidural is a cortisone injection but is inserted into your low back.

Why is pain worse after epidural steroid injection?

The nervous system can be very sensitive to outside shocks like needle injections, and an epidural can have many adverse effects if incorrectly applied by the injector. The proximity of so many nerves also means that the injection is more likely to be painful compared to other procedures.

Is it worth having an epidural?

Epidural is one of the most effective methods for pain relief during delivery and childbirth, and it has minimal side effects on both mom and baby. It works quickly and can begin to relieve pain within 10 to 20 minutes . Most women who have an epidural feel little or no pain during labor and delivery.

Can an epidural cause back pain years later?

There’s a common belief that having an epidural will lead to back pain. But according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, there’s no credible evidence that having an epidural will lead to permanent back pain.

How long do steroids stay in your system after an epidural?

How Long Does Relief from Pain Last? Relief from pain is usually immediate due to the anesthetic contained in the injection, but the effect will fade in a few hours. The steroid acts anywhere between two to seven days after the procedure and peaks in two weeks.

What are the disadvantages and side effects of cortisone injections?

Risks

• Cartilage damage.
• Death of nearby bone.
• Joint infection.
• Nerve damage.
• Temporary facial flushing.
• Temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint.
• Temporary increase in blood sugar.
• Tendon weakening or rupture.

What happens after lumbar epidural steroid injection?

Some people are dizzy or feel sick to their stomach after getting this injection. These symptoms usually don’t last very long. If your pain is better, you may be able to keep doing your normal activities or physiotherapy. But try not to overdo it, even if your back pain has improved a lot.

Are epidural steroid injections safe?

Epidural steroid injections have been used for years and are considered one of the safest options for pain management in the lower back. However, as with all minimally invasive procedures, there are small but extremely rare risks involved.

Can spinal injections go wrong?

Complications from lumbar epidural injections are extremely rare. Most if not all complications can be avoided by careful technique with accurate needle placement, sterile precautions, and a thorough understanding of the relevant anatomy and contrast patterns on fluoroscopic imaging.

What is the success rate of spinal injections?

An analysis of several large clinical trials indicated that 40% to 80% of patients experienced over 50% improvement in sciatica pain and functional outcome from 3 months up to 1 year when 1 to 4 injections were given in that year.