What is a Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection

• Epidural steroid injections help treat many painful spine-related conditions, including:
  
  – Disc herniation
  
  – Sciatica or radicular nerve pain
  
  – Post-surgical spine pain
  
  – Acute shingles (herpes zoster) and post-herpetic neuralgia
  
  – Cancer-related spine pain
• ESIs are minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments used alongside physical therapy and other conservative care.

Goal of the Procedure

• Many types of back and nerve pain are caused by inflammation around the spinal nerves.
• Injecting a steroid (cortisone) into the epidural space helps calm inflammation, reduce irritation, and decrease pain.
• The goal is to reduce nerve swelling, decrease sensitivity, and improve your ability to move and participate in rehabilitation.

The Procedure

• The injection is performed in a sterile procedure room using X-ray guidance for accuracy and safety.
• Most patients do not need sedation; the skin is numbed with local anesthetic.
• Depending on the injection type, you may feel a brief “electric” sensation radiating into the arm or leg.
  
  – This is common, temporary, and not harmful.
• The procedure typically takes 10-15 minutes.
• After the injection, you’ll spend a short time in recovery before going home.

After the Procedure

Follow the instructions provided to you at discharge:

• If sedation was used:
  
  – Do not drive or use heavy machinery for 24 hours.
• Activity:
  
  – Resume normal daily activities as tolerated.
  
  – Showering is okay.
  
  – Do not soak in a bathtub, pool, or lake for 24 hours.
• Pain relief timing:
  
  – It may take 7–10 days for the steroid to start working.