How long do epidural steroid injection side effects last

How long do epidural steroid injection side effects last

What is a lumbar epidural steroid injection?

A lumbar epidural injection is a shot into the epidural space—the area in your back around the spinal cord. The shot may help reduce pain, tingling, or numbness in your back, buttock, or leg. The shot may have a steroid to reduce pain and swelling and a local anesthetic to numb nerves.

How is a lumbar epidural steroid injection done?

The doctor may use an imaging test before or during your injection. This can be an MRI, a CT scan, or an X-ray. These tests can show where your nerve problems are.

After finding the right spot, the doctor may inject a numbing medicine into the skin where you will get the steroid injection. Then he or she puts the needle for the steroid into the numbed area. You may feel some pressure. You could feel some stinging or burning during the injection.

How long does an epidural steroid injection take?

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get this injection. You will probably go home about 20 to 30 minutes after you get it.

What can you expect after a lumbar epidural steroid injection?

If your injection had local anesthetic and a steroid, your legs may feel heavy or numb right after. You will probably be able to walk. But you may need to be extra careful. Take care not to lose your balance, and be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

If your injection contained local anesthetic, you may feel better right away. But this pain relief will last only a few hours. Your pain will probably return. This is because the steroids have not started working yet. Before the steroids start to work, your back may be sore for a few days.

These injections don't always work. When they do, it takes 1 to 5 days. This pain relief can last for several days to a few months or longer.

You may want to do less than normal for a few days. But you may also be able to return to your daily routine.

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. If your pain is only a little better or if it comes back, your doctor may recommend another injection in a few weeks. If your pain has not changed, talk to your doctor about other treatment choices.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter H162 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections".

Steroid injections, also called corticosteroid injections, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of conditions.

They can be used to treat problems such as joint pain, arthritis, sciatica and inflammatory bowel disease.

Steroid injections are only given by healthcare professionals. Common examples include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone and methylprednisolone.

How steroid injections are given

Steroid injections are usually given by a specialist doctor in hospital.

They can be given in several different ways, including:

  • into a joint (an intra-articular injection)
  • into a muscle (an intramuscular injection)
  • into the spine (an epidural injection)
  • into the blood (an intravenous injection)

The injections normally take a few days to start working, although some work in a few hours. The effect usually wears off after a few months.

If you're having an injection to relieve pain, it may also contain local anaesthetic. This provides immediate pain relief that lasts a few hours.

You should be able to go home soon after the injection. You may need to rest the treated body part for a few days.

Side effects of steroid injections

Possible side effects of steroid injections depend on where the injection is given.

Side effects of injections into the joints, muscles or spine can include:

  • pain and discomfort for a few days – paracetamol may help with this
  • temporary bruising or a collection of blood under the skin
  • flushing of the face for a few hours
  • an infection, causing redness, swelling and pain – get medical advice as soon as possible if you have these symptoms
  • a loss of fat where the injection was given – this can cause dimples in the skin and may be permanent
  • paler skin around the site of the injection – this may be permanent
  • if you have diabetes, your blood sugar level may go up for a few days
  • if you have high blood pressure, your blood pressure may go up for a few days

Epidural injections can also occasionally give you a very painful headache that's only relieved by lying down. This should get better on its own, but tell your specialist if you get it.

Side effects of injections given into the blood tend to be similar to side effects of steroid tablets, such as increased appetite, mood changes and difficulty sleeping.

You can report any suspected side effect to a UK safety scheme.

Who can have steroid injections

Most people can have steroid injections.

Tell the doctor before having treatment if you:

  • have had a steroid injection in the last few weeks – you usually need to wait at least 6 weeks between injections
  • you've had 3 steroid injections in the last year – doctors usually recommend no more than 3 injections in the same area in the space of 12 months
  • have had an allergic reaction to steroids in the past
  • have an infection (including eye infections)
  • have recently had, or are about to have, any vaccinations
  • are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby
  • have any other conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or problems with your liver, heart or kidneys
  • are taking other medicines, such as anticoagulants

Steroid injections may not always be suitable in these cases, although the doctor may recommend them if they think the benefits outweigh any risks.

How steroid injections work

Steroids are a manmade version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands, 2 small glands found above the kidneys.

When injected into a joint or muscle, steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation) in the nearby area. This can help relieve pain and stiffness.

When injected into the blood, they can reduce inflammation throughout the body, as well as reduce the activity of the immune system, the body's natural defence against illness and infection.

This can help treat autoimmune conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), which are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body.

Steroid injections are different from the anabolic steroids used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass.

Page last reviewed: 26 February 2020
Next review due: 26 February 2023

How long does it take to recover from epidural steroid injection?

Usually, you'll be able to return to normal activities on the next day. The steroids usually begin working within 1 to 3 days. In some cases, you might need up to a week to feel the benefits.

Will epidural steroid injection side effects go away?

The needle or epidural tube can damage nerves, but this is uncommon. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling or movement in parts of your lower body. The most common symptom is a small, numb area with normal movement and strength. This usually gets better after a few days or weeks, but can sometimes take months.

How long does it take for steroid injection side effects to go away?

The most common side effect is intense pain and swelling in the joint where the injection was given. This usually gets better after a day or two. You may also get some bruising where the injection was given. This should go away after a few days.

Why do I feel worse after epidural steroid injection?

You may have an increase in pain levels for two to three days after an epidural steroid injection. This is because of irritation of the nerves in the area the steroid was injected. You should begin feeling pain relief within a few days of the epidural steroid injection.