From buttocks to neck: Epidural steroid injections for radiating pain relief

The idea of a needle near your nerves might not sound like the pain relief you’re searching for, but an epidural steroid injection might be the temporary fix you need for the radiating pain in your buttocks, leg, arm or neck.

What is an epidural steroid injection?

Epidural steroid injections involve injecting a steroid into the space around the spinal nerves, called the epidural space. They’re administered along a section of your spine: cervical (neck); thoracic (upper and mid-back); or lumbar (lower back). Though this sounds similar to an epidural sometimes given to women during childbirth, it isn’t the same: Epidurals used during labor are delivering numbing medicine, while epidural steroid injections are introducing anti-inflammatory medicine that reduces swelling and relieves pain.

An epidural steroid injection allows you to manage pain well enough so that you can move more comfortably, sleep better and attend physical therapy.

When are epidural steroid injections useful?

Epidural steroid injections are most often used for conditions like:

• Herniated disc, or a rupture of the cushioning tissue between your vertebrae, the stacked bones of your spine. This can compress nerves in your spine and typically happens in the lower back or neck.
• Sciatica, or painful irritation or injury to your sciatic nerve. This is often felt as radiating pain in the lower back, buttocks or legs.
• Spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. It commonly occurs in the neck or lower back, which sometimes also causes buttocks and leg pain when walking, called neurogenic claudication.

Doctors use these injections when your nerve pain hasn’t improved with rest, physical therapy or medication, and they may help you get back to living your daily life with less discomfort.

“Epidural steroid injections don’t fix underlying problems, but they can calm inflammation and give your nerves a chance to settle down,” says Dr. Michael Eaton, a physiatrist at Aurora Health Care.

Do epidural steroid injections hurt?

If the thought of a needle near your spine gives you the heebie-jeebies, know that you won’t feel too much pain outside of a slight pinch – similar to the pinch you feel when receiving a flu shot. That’s because you’ll receive a local anesthetic injection to numb the area of your epidural steroid injection.

These technique-specific injections require significant and specialized training, so rest assured that the health care provider administering your injection is well-qualified.

How long does an epidural steroid injection last?

For most people, epidural steroid injections provide short-term relief. For others, the benefits can last a few months to a year. In certain cases, reducing pain can help someone avoid or delay surgery.

It’s also important to note that epidural steroid injections don’t always work. Some people feel significant relief, while others notice little change. Doctors usually limit how many injections a person can get in a year to reduce steroid-related side effects like the weakening of your spine or nearby muscles.

“These injections are one tool in a larger pain management plan, not a magic pill,” Dr. Eaton says. “They give you the ability to take a breath and pursue interventions that will, hopefully, be the real answer to curing your pain.”

Are you having back or neck problems? Take a free online quiz to learn more.