Herniated disc epidural steroid injection is a procedure where a steroid (a type of anti-inflammatory medication) is injected into the epidural space around the herniated disc. The steroid reduces swelling and inflammation in the soft tissues around the spinal cord and nerves.
The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting and has few risks associated with it. It may help relieve pain from a herniated disc, but it does not fix or repair damage already done to the spinal cord or nerves.
In patients with neck pain, doctors usually recommend nonsurgical treatments first. These include physical therapy, rest, medications and injections into a joint near the back for pain relief. If these treatments are not effective at controlling pain, then surgery may be considered to treat the problem.
Intradiscal steroid injections can be used to treat some of the most common types of back pain. A spondylolisthesis is a slippage or slip of a vertebra on top of another vertebra. The result is the vertebral body moving forward over the underlying bone. This can put pressure on nerves and cause pain in the back and legs.
A herniated disc is an abnormal protrusion or bulge of soft tissue from a disc that has ruptured. The spinal discs are strong connective tissue cushions that sit between each vertebra in your spine. They act as shock absorbers between each vertebrae and help to prevent injuries to your spinal cord. A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of one or more of these discs bulges out through an opening in the inner wall of the disc (annulus). This may cause pain and/or numbness in your back, neck or limbs.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
A spinal epidural steroid injection involves injecting corticosteroids into your epidural space (the space around your spinal cord). It’s usually done under fluoroscopic guidance (X-ray) by a trained professional such as an orthopedic surgeon or anesthesiologist who performs epidural injections regularly. This procedure
The epidural steroid injection is an injection of corticosteroids into the space around the spinal cord. The epidural space is located in the lower back and is composed of a membrane called the dura mater, which surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots, and a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
The purpose of this injection is to decrease inflammation, swelling, and pain in your neck or back caused by osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
The procedure may be done as outpatient surgery or as part of an inpatient admission.
Before you are given the injection, a catheter (a thin tube) will be inserted into your back between two vertebrae. A local anesthetic will numb the area where the needle will be inserted into your spine so you won’t feel any pain during this procedure. When the needle reaches your spine, it will deliver medication directly into the epidural space over a period of minutes through a small catheter (tube). After receiving treatment with steroids, some people may need additional steroid injections as needed for continued relief from their symptoms.
The epidural steroid injection is a type of steroid injection that is commonly used to treat back pain. The epidural (or “low back”) injection is usually performed on the lower back, but it can also be used on the neck.
How Does an Epidural Injection Work?
The procedure involves injecting a steroid medication into the epidural space. This space is located between your vertebrae and spinal cord. The injection can help reduce inflammation and swelling in your spinal cord, which relieves pressure on nerves in your spine.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
In many cases, doctors will suggest that you have a second epidural injection after four to six weeks if you do not notice any improvement in your symptoms after the first injection.
Does Epidural Injection Cure Herniated Disc?

Epidural injections are not a cure for herniated discs. They are meant to treat the symptoms of a herniated disc by reducing or eliminating pain.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
The purpose of an epidural injection is to reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on your spinal cord caused by a herniated disc.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
Epidural injections are usually done by a doctor or nurse in the hospital, but sometimes they can be done in an outpatient surgery center with anesthesia.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
Epidural injections do not work for everyone. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options before choosing an epidural injection for your herniated disc.
Epidural injections for back pain can relieve the pain but do not cure the problem.
Epidural injections are often used to treat chronic back pain caused by herniated discs. A herniated disc is a condition where the outer layer of a spinal disc pushes through its inner wall, causing the contents of the disc to bulge out.
The fluid inside the disc can leak out and cause inflammation, which leads to pain. The injection is meant to reduce this inflammation and eliminate pain.
The injection is also known as epidural steroid injection or spinal steroid injection because it contains steroids that reduce inflammation. This type of injection has been in use since the 1960s, but it has become more popular recently due to its success rate in treating back pain caused by herniated discs.
The answer to your question is: no. It cannot cure herniated discs.
A herniated disc occurs when the outer ring of a disc ruptures and the inner portion (nucleus) herniates out through the tear. The outer portion of a disc is called annulus. The nucleus pulposus is the gel-like center of intervertebral discs. When a disc ruptures, it causes pain and inflammation that can radiate along nerve roots and cause a very disabling back pain.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
Epidural injection is performed by injecting corticosteroids and local anesthetics around the affected area to reduce inflammation and swelling around the affected area. This therapy works well for acute sciatica that has been caused by herniated discs or other conditions such as spinal stenosis or facet joint arthritis
Epidural injections are commonly used to treat herniated discs. A herniated disc occurs when the tough outer layers of the spine (the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus) become damaged or weakened, creating a bulge that pushes on a spinal nerve. The sharp and sudden pain caused by this bulge is called sciatica.
Herniated discs can be treated with epidural injections and other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy. Epidural injections involve injecting a numbing medication into a patient’s spine. This medication lasts for up to three months, during which time you should avoid strenuous activity that could cause further damage to your back.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid InjectionHerniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
How Painful is An Epidural Steroid Injection?

The injection itself is painless, but the process of inserting the needle can be uncomfortable.
The discomfort from an epidural steroid injection comes from the needle stick and from having to lie still with your head sticking up in a position where you feel vulnerable.
You may feel some burning or stinging as the anesthetic is injected, but this should only last a few minutes.
Afterward, you should be able to return to your normal activities within a day or two.
An epidural steroid injection is a procedure in which a small amount of steroid medication is injected into the space around your spinal cord.
An epidural steroid injection can relieve pain and inflammation in your back, neck, arms or legs. It works by reducing swelling and increasing the spaces between nerve fibers in the spinal cord. This reduces compression on the nerves that carry sensation from your body to your brain.
The injection often takes less than 10 minutes to perform and you’ll probably be able to go home shortly afterward. It’s usually done in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting, but it can be done as part of surgery if necessary.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid InjectionHerniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection
The steroid medication is injected into four areas:
The L4-5 disc space (lower lumbar region)
The L5-S1 disc space (upper lumbar region)
The sacroiliac joint (between the sacrum and pelvis)
An epidural steroid injection is a common treatment for back and neck pain, but it can be painful. The best way to reduce your risk of pain is to be prepared.
What is an epidural steroid injection?
An epidural steroid injection is a medical procedure that involves injecting steroids into the space around your spinal cord. An epidural injection can help treat nerve pain caused by inflammation of the spinal cord and its roots (radiculopathy), which may result from a variety of causes, including:
Infection (acute discitis or discitis)
Inflammation (spondylitis)
Arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis)
Disc degeneration
An epidural steroid injection is a common treatment for back pain, which can include sciatica.
Steroid injections are often used for conditions such as:
Osteoarthritis.
Facet joint pain (the joints at the base of your spine).
Disc degeneration (the most common cause of back pain).
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
Ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that causes stiffness in your spine and other joints).
Epidural steroids are injected into the space around your spinal cord, where they reduce inflammation and ease nerve pain. They’re usually given through an epidural needle, which is inserted into your back between two vertebrae in the lower part of your spine. You’ll receive local anesthesia before the procedure so that you’re numb from the waist down. This helps prevent any discomfort during injection.Herniated Disc Epidural Steroid Injection