Feel the Relief: Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections and What You Need to Know

What Is a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection?

A lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive treatment designed to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the lower back and legs. It’s one of the most effective non-surgical interventions available for chronic lumbar pain, especially when that pain radiates into the hips, buttocks, or legs.

This injection delivers medication directly into the epidural space—the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves in the lower spine. This is often where inflammation builds up due to injury, degeneration, or disc problems, leading to painful nerve compression.

How Does It Work?

A lumbar ESI typically contains two components:

• Corticosteroid: A powerful anti-inflammatory medication that reduces swelling around irritated spinal nerves.
• Local Anesthetic: Provides temporary pain relief and helps confirm that the injection is reaching the correct area.

By delivering this combination directly to the source of pain, an ESI can reduce nerve irritation, ease inflammation, and help restore comfort and mobility—without the need for strong oral medications or surgery.

Where Is It Administered?

Using real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance), our specialists precisely insert the needle into the epidural space of the lumbar spine. This precision ensures maximum effectiveness while minimizing the risk of complications.

The entire procedure is performed in a sterile outpatient setting—often right here at one of our Medici facilities in Marietta or Snellville—and typically takes under 30 minutes.

What Conditions Can a Lumbar ESI Treat?

Lumbar epidural steroid injections are often recommended for patients experiencing chronic or radiating pain due to:

• Herniated Discs: When a disc bulges or ruptures and presses on nearby spinal nerves
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that causes nerve compression
• Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy): Radiating leg pain caused by pinched nerves in the lower back
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Wear-and-tear on spinal discs over time
• Post-Laminectomy Syndrome: Persistent pain following back surgery

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we see these conditions frequently and have helped many patients find lasting relief with this conservative, outpatient treatment.

Who Is a Candidate for a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection?

While not everyone with back pain needs an injection, lumbar epidural steroid injections (ESIs) can be life-changing for individuals suffering from nerve-related pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments. So how do you know if you’re a good candidate?

Here are some common symptoms that may indicate an ESI could help:

• Radiating Leg Pain: Pain that starts in the lower back and shoots down the buttocks, thighs, or even to the feet—commonly associated with sciatica.
• Numbness or Tingling: A pins-and-needles sensation in the lower extremities often points to nerve irritation or compression.
• Chronic Lower Back Pain That Won’t Go Away: If you've tried rest, physical therapy, medications, or other conservative treatments without meaningful relief, an ESI may offer the targeted intervention you need.

How Medici Evaluates Your Candidacy

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we take a comprehensive, patient-first approach to ensure that any treatment we recommend is appropriate, effective, and tailored to your specific needs.

Here’s how we determine if a lumbar ESI is right for you:

Medical History

We begin with an in-depth discussion about your symptoms, pain patterns, previous treatments, and overall health. This helps us understand the full picture of your condition and goals.

Physical Examination

Our providers perform a hands-on assessment to evaluate mobility, nerve function, strength, and areas of tenderness or inflammation. This guides us in pinpointing the affected regions of your spine.

Diagnostic Imaging

To accurately diagnose and locate the source of your pain, we may use MRI, CT scans, or X-rays. These images provide critical insight into conditions like herniated discs, spinal narrowing, and degenerative changes that may not be obvious from symptoms alone.

Together, these steps allow us to create a personalized treatment plan—which may include a lumbar ESI as a targeted, non-surgical solution to reduce pain and restore function.

The Procedure: What to Expect from a Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

Pre-Procedure Preparation

Before your lumbar ESI, our clinical team will give you specific instructions to ensure your safety and comfort:

• Medications: Some blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications may need to be paused a few days prior to the procedure. Always consult with your physician before stopping any medication.
• Fasting: In some cases, especially if sedation is involved, you may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for several hours beforehand.
• What to Wear: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal. You may be asked to change into a gown.
• What to Bring: Bring a list of your current medications, your insurance information, and a friend or family member to drive you home afterward if sedation is used.

Step-by-Step: The Lumbar ESI Procedure

Here’s how a typical lumbar epidural steroid injection is performed at one of our state-of-the-art outpatient facilities in Marietta or Snellville:

1. Positioning: You'll lie face-down or on your side on a specialized procedure table, depending on the injection site.
2. Local Anesthetic Applied: The skin over the injection site is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
3. Fluoroscopy Guidance: Using a live X-ray (fluoroscopy), your provider will precisely guide a thin needle into the epidural space around your irritated spinal nerves.
4. Injection Administered: A combination of corticosteroid and local anesthetic is carefully injected. This targets the inflamed nerves directly at the source of your pain.
5. Procedure Time: The entire process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.

Recovery and Aftercare

After the injection, you’ll be monitored briefly in our recovery area—usually about 15–20 minutes. Most patients walk out on their own and can resume light activities the same day.

Some soreness at the injection site is normal, but this usually resolves quickly. Relief from the injection can occur within a few days, although some patients may experience gradual improvement over 1–2 weeks. You may be advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a short period post-procedure.

Benefits of Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs)

Targeted Relief Without Systemic Medication

Unlike oral medications that circulate throughout your entire body, a lumbar ESI delivers medication directly to the inflamed nerve root in the lower spine. This targeted approach not only increases effectiveness, but also minimizes the risk of side effects commonly associated with systemic steroid use or opioid medications.

Reduces Inflammation and Nerve Irritation

The primary goal of an ESI is to calm inflamed nerves, which are often the root cause of radiating pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs. By reducing inflammation in the epidural space, the injection helps break the pain cycle and allows the affected nerve to begin healing.

Improved Mobility and Quality of Life

Many of our patients report that after receiving a lumbar ESI, they are able to:

• Walk longer distances
• Sit and stand more comfortably
• Resume physical therapy or return to work
• Enjoy daily activities that were once limited by pain

Relief from pain can dramatically improve your ability to move and function—without relying on medications or invasive procedures.

Delays or Avoids the Need for Surgery

For individuals who want to avoid spine surgery, ESIs can be a powerful alternative. While they don’t “fix” the structural problem itself, they often provide sufficient relief to allow your body to recover with the help of additional therapies like physical rehabilitation. In many cases, this conservative approach can delay or eliminate the need for more invasive interventions.

Synergistic with Physical Therapy

At Medici, we often pair lumbar ESIs with other treatment modalities, such as:

• Physical therapy
• Myofascial release
• Regenerative treatments
• Personalized exercise programs

This integrative approach maximizes your healing potential. By decreasing inflammation through an injection, your body becomes more responsive to strengthening and mobility work—leading to longer-lasting and more sustainable relief.

Ready to Feel the Relief?

Chronic lower back pain can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to define your life. Lumbar epidural steroid injections (ESIs) offer a targeted, effective, and minimally invasive way to calm nerve inflammation, reduce pain, and restore mobility. They’ve helped countless patients experience freedom from pain without the risks of surgery or long-term medication use.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we believe you deserve a life that isn’t limited by discomfort. Whether you're struggling with sciatica, spinal stenosis, or a herniated disc, our team is here to walk alongside you—safely, compassionately, and with a treatment plan built around your goals.

If you're ready to take the next step toward lasting pain relief, we’re here for you. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we offer non-surgical, non-addictive solutions that are personalized to meet your needs and lifestyle.

📞 Call Us: 1-844-328-4624

‍ 🌐 Visit: https://medicimedicalarts.com
📍 Locations: Kennesaw, Snellville, Buckhead, Marietta