What You Should Know About Epidural Steroid Injections

The number of epidural steroid injections patients can receive in a year is influenced by several individual factors. Most patients are limited to around three epidural steroid injections within a 12-month period. The main concern is minimizing overall steroid exposure while still providing enough relief to keep a patient mobile and functioning. Some may do well with just one injection in a year, while others might require a second or third if symptoms return and other treatments aren’t providing adequate relief. The total number depends on how well the injections are working and whether the relief lasts long enough to justify another round. If the benefit starts to shrink or the effects wear off quickly, the focus may shift to alternative therapies. The goal isn’t just to manage flare-ups, but to avoid dependency on any single treatment approach, especially one that carries long-term risks with repeated use.

The procedure for an epidural steroid injection itself is generally quick and done on an outpatient basis. After a local anesthetic is applied to numb the skin, a needle is guided into the epidural space using live imaging for accuracy. Once in place, a combination of steroid medication and sometimes a small amount of anesthetic is injected directly around the irritated nerves. Most patients describe pressure more than pain during the injection, and the entire process usually wraps up within 15 to 30 minutes.
 
Recovery tends to be just as straightforward. There may be mild soreness at the injection site or a temporary increase in symptoms before the steroid takes effect, which can take a few days. After that, many patients report reduced inflammation and pain, which allows for better participation in other treatments like physical therapy or daily movement. The specialists at Modern Pain Management use this as one part of a broader pain management treatment to promote symptom relief and holistic recovery.

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat sciatica, especially when the pain is associated with nerve root inflammation in the lower back. For many individuals, the steroid helps reduce the swelling that’s pressing on the sciatic nerve, which can ease the sharp, radiating pain down the leg. The injection can provide enough relief to make movement easier while the underlying issue improves. In cases where sciatica is triggered by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, the injection may help in providing symptom relief without surgery. Some patients experience significant relief, while others may need a second injection later on if symptoms return. How long the effects last can vary, but for many, even a few weeks or months of reduced pain can open the door to better long-term recovery through exercise, therapy, or weight management.

Epidural steroid injections can be effective for certain types of chronic back pain, especially when nerve irritation is part of the problem. If inflammation near the spinal nerve roots is contributing to persistent discomfort, the steroid may help calm things down enough to restore some quality of life. The results aren’t always permanent, but they can be enough to keep someone functional and avoid more invasive treatments for a time.
 
However, different presentations of chronic back pain may not respond in the same way. If the pain is more mechanical or tied to muscle issues rather than nerve inflammation, the injection may have limited impact. Providers often use the patient’s history, imaging, and response to past treatments to decide whether it’s a good option. When it does work, it can provide a wide range of benefits, making it easier to stay active and build strength without being sidelined by constant pain.
 
Visit Modern Pain Management for effective epidural steroid injections tailored to your unique pain management needs. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Houston TX and Sugar Land TX. We serve patients from Houston TX, Sugar Land TX, Pearland TX, Jersey Village TX, Missouri City TX, Stafford TX, and Richmond TX.