When To Consider An Epidural Injection For Your Back Or Neck Pain

When you wake up with a stiff neck or a sharp ache in your lower back that radiates through your limbs, it often means a nerve in your spine is being pinched or compressed. 

At Garden State Pain & Orthopedics, with offices in Jersey City, Hazlet, and West Orange, New Jersey, our medical team treats many patients who feel stuck in a cycle of limited mobility and daily frustration. 

When standard rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories no longer cut it, an epidural steroid injection can provide relief.  

How this procedure works

An epidural steroid injection involves delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the space around your spinal nerves. This area is known as the epidural space. These injections work by reducing the swelling and irritation of the nerve roots.

The goal isn't just to mask the pain. By reducing inflammation, the treatment allows your body to heal and makes it easier for you to participate in physical therapy. Most patients find that the relief lasts from several weeks to several months, providing an opportunity to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine.

Signs it is time for an injection

We often suggest this treatment for patients experiencing radiculopathy. This is a condition where pain travels from the spine down into the arms or legs. It is frequently caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Steroid injections are most effective for acute pain caused by nerve compression.

You should consider this option if your pain hasn't improved after four to six weeks of other non-invasive treatments. If your discomfort prevents you from sleeping, working, or exercising.

What to expect during your visit

The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes. We use live X-ray guidance, also called fluoroscopy, to ensure the medication reaches the exact spot where the nerve is irritated.

Most patients can return home shortly after the appointment. You might feel some minor soreness at the injection site, but this usually fades within a day. Since we use a local anesthetic to numb the area first, the process is generally well tolerated. Many patients experience a significant reduction in pain within 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

If you are tired of living with back or neck pain, we are here to help. Our experts can determine if an epidural steroid injection is the right choice for your specific condition. 

Call Garden State Pain & Orthopedics today to schedule an appointment at one of our three New Jersey locations or request an appointment via our online booking tool.