What Is a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection?

Find out how this injection could improve your back pain. 

The lumbar, or lower back, is important for supporting the upper body and twisting and bending. Unfortunately, lower back pain is incredibly common. Suppose you’ve been dealing with chronic back pain (pain lasting more than 12 weeks). In that case, you may want to talk to our St. Thomas and St. Croix, Pain Management team about whether you could benefit from lumbar epidural steroid injections.

What Conditions Can Benefit From Steroid Injections?

Unfortunately, many spinal conditions can lead to nerve root inflammation, which can cause chronic and sometimes debilitating pain. Conditions that can often benefit from lumbar epidural steroid injections include,

  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Bone spurs
  • Spinal degeneration
  • Injuries of the spinal nerves or vertebrae
  • Failed back surgery

How Do Epidural Steroid Injections Work?

When steroids are injected into the spine, the steroid works directly on the impacted nerves to reduce pain and swelling, as well as pressure placed on the nerve, allowing the nerves to recover and heal. While lumbar epidural steroid injections typically provide temporary pain relief, some of our patients report longer-term or even permanent relief from their back pain when turning to our Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, Pain Management team for injections.

What Can This Treatment Do for Me?

The purpose of lumbar epidural steroid injections is to reduce inflammation of the nerve roots to reduce or even temporarily alleviate back pain. These injections can also improve the functionality and mobility of the lower back and legs and even enhance the effectiveness of other treatment options such as physical therapy.

What Are the Benefits of Epidural Steroid Injections?

Besides the most obvious benefit of more effective pain relief, steroid injections can provide more effective results without taking oral medications, which can often have unpleasant side effects (mainly when used regularly or for more extended periods). It can also improve the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation or physical therapy while also preventing or, at the very least, postponing the need for surgical interventions.

Suppose you are dealing with chronic lower back pain that isn’t responding with home care and conservative measures. In that case, it may be time to consider other options, such as lumbar epidural steroid injections. The St. Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands Pain Management team at Virgin Islands Orthopaedics and Medical Specialists can help determine which treatment options are right for you. Call (340) 776-1519 or (340) 712-6299 to schedule an appointment.

St Thomas

340-714-2845

St Croix

340-692-5000

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Thursday:

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Closed

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