Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
There are many conditions that can cause chronic pain in the low back or lumbar spinal region. The nerve roots that exit the spinal cord in the lower back can be irritated, pinched or compressed due to mechanical issues, inflammation or other conditions. One interventional pain treatment that can offer relief is lumbar epidural steroid injections (ESI). If you have chronic low back pain, DOCS Health offers lumbar ESI treatment at our medical center in Los Angeles.
Lumbar spinal pain can be difficult to diagnose. Even with advanced imaging, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of low back pain or sciatica symptoms. Patients who have lumbar back pain or radiating sciatic nerve pain down one side of the body can be suffering from many different conditions. Lumbar epidural steroid injections can help identify the source of pain and may offer pain relief from the following conditions:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal osteoarthritis (spondylosis)
Injecting a steroid or corticosteroid into the epidural space around the affected nerves can relieve inflammation and irritation of the nerve. If effective, a lumbar ESI can also help with diagnosis of the spinal condition.
Chronic Low Back Pain Relief
Lumbar ESIs offer a minimally-invasive option to relieve low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy symptoms. By injecting a steroid into the epidural space, nerves can be insulated from irritation or inflammation can be reduced to relieve nerve compression. To perform the ESI, our pain specialists utilized a fluoroscope to guide the needle into the epidural space. This precise method improves the safety and effectiveness of our injections. If an anesthetic is included with the steroid, almost immediate relief may be felt as the irritated nerves are numbed. The anesthetic will wear off, but the steroids can begin working to relieve nerve pain in a few days after treatment. Patients may experience pain relief for three or more months if a lumbar ESI is effective.
If you have chronic lumbar pain and want to explore treatment options, contact our team at DOCS Health today to schedule your pain management consultation. We offer interventional pain treatments such as lumbar epidural steroid injections (ESI) at our medical center in Beverly Hills, CA.