Epidural steroid injections, ESIs, involve injecting a steroid medication into the area that surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots.
The goal of this procedure is to control pain by reducing inflammation around the nerve roots, which can improve mobility in the legs and lower back. That, in turn, can help patients participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation with greater ease. And if you're more comfortable undergoing physical therapy, you're more likely to find successful, long-lasting relief without surgery or medication.
The nerves that go to the rest of your body run through the epidural space. If you have a disc herniation, arthritis, or another pathology that irritates these nerves, you can have a radiculopathy. This means the nerve is malfunctioning, and an epidural steroid injection can decrease the inflammation of the nerve.
Comments