Epidural injection for pain relief at Parkside Hospital (2024)

What is an epidural injection?

Anaesthetic or steriods are injected into an area called the epidural space which is around and below the spinal cord. The nerves that carry pain sensations are blocked below the level of the injection.

What types of epidural injections are available?

The type of injection you will receive depends on where it is given.

What happens during an epidural?

Staff will help you lie on your side with your knees drawn up to your tummy and your chin tucked in or to sit up and lean forward. Both positions straighten and stretch the spine and the spinal cord.

The anaesthetist will carefully select a point to inject by feeling for specific bones in the spine and hips. A small amount of local anaesthetic is injected into the skin around the chosen point. After a minute or so when the skin is numb the anaesthetist will insert the larger epidural needle through the skin and towards the spine. When the needle reaches the space around the spinal cord, a fine plastic tube is inserted through the bore of the needle. The needle is then removed, leaving the plastic tube in place running from the area around the spinal cord through the skin to the outside. The tube is stuck to the back with sticking plaster and the anaesthetist can then inject anaesthetic drugs down this tube.

Whilst the anaesthetist is preparing the site for the injection you will need to stay very still. Once you have received the injection the anaesthetist will ask you to lie on one side and then the other to spread the anaesthetic evenly round the spinal cord. The whole procedure usually takes 15 - 30 minutes.

How long will I need to stay in Hospital?

The length of stay in hospital will be determined by the reason for the epidural. You will not be allowed to leave until you are fully able to move about on your own.

What are the possible complications?

Side effects of an epidural injection may include:

  • Failure of the epidural
  • Increased pain
  • Headache
  • Low blood pressure
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Temporary leg or arm weakness
  • Backache

Rare reactions to an epidural injection can include:

  • Seizures
  • Infection around the spine
  • Nerve injury
  • Blood clot in the spine
Epidural injection for pain relief at Parkside Hospital (2024)

FAQs

Where can I get an epidural steroid injection? ›

You will likely have your epidural steroid injection in a hospital or an outpatient clinic. Depending on what's causing your pain, your healthcare provider will inject the epidural somewhere along your spine.

What is the cost for an epidural spinal injection? ›

Epidural Injection Guide Price Per Treatment
Patient PathwayHospital feesConsultant fees
Main Treatment£1,615Included
Post-Discharge CareIncludedIncluded
Sub Totals£1,615£250
Total Guide Price£1,865
2 more rows
May 5, 2023

What is the cost of epidural injection? ›

The cost of epidural steroid injection in a private hospital varies from 12,000 INR to 40,000 INR in India.

What is the dark side of the epidural steroid injection? ›

The dark side of epidural injections is that, in extremely rare cases, they can result in convulsions, serious infection, permanent nerve damage, severe breathing difficulties, and even death. Permanent nerve damage results from spinal cord damage or severe infection caused by an epidural injection.

How much is an epidural steroid injection out of pocket? ›

A common epidural steroid injection at outpatient hospital facility in U.S. includes
UnitsAvg Cash price
Facility
Outpatient Hospital fee to inject anesthetic and/or steroid into spine nerve root level 3 Standard1$1,016
Total average cash price$1,174.00
2 more rows

Does insurance cover epidural steroid injections? ›

A single Epidural Steroid Injection may cost as much as $600. However, you can get insurance coverage for this back pain injection if it's medically necessary and meets the medical guidelines of your insurance provider.

How often will Medicare pay for epidural steroid injections? ›

ESIs are limited to a maximum of 4 sessions per spinal region in a rolling 12 month period. It is not considered medically reasonable and necessary for more than 1 spinal region to be injected in the same session.

What is the success rate of epidural steroid injections? ›

What is the success rate? Although effects of epidural steroid injection tend to be temporary (lasting 1 week to up to a year) an injection can provide substantial pain relief and benefit. With fluoroscopic guidance > 50% of patients receive some pain relief.

Is an epidural injection the same as a steroid injection? ›

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is the delivery of powerful anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the space outside of the sac of fluid around your spinal cord. This area is called the epidural space. ESI is not the same as epidural anesthesia given just before childbirth or certain types of surgery.

Is gabapentin better than epidural steroid injections? ›

CONCLUSIONS: Although epidural steroid injection might provide greater benefit than gabapentin for some outcome measures, the differences are modest and are transient for most people.

What is next if an epidural injection doesn't work? ›

Other non-surgical treatments: Depending on the back's condition and symptoms, other non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or pain medication may be recommended.

What happens if they hit a nerve during an epidural? ›

The needle or epidural tube can damage nerves, but this is uncommon. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling or movement in parts of your lower body. The most common symptom is a small, numb area with normal movement and strength. This usually gets better after a few days or weeks, but can sometimes take months.

Where are epidural steroid injections given? ›

Your provider injects a steroid or corticosteroid medication into the epidural space by your spinal cord in your low back. The lower back region of your spine is called the lumbar spine. This region is made up of five vertebrae, and these vertebrae are the largest of the other vertebrae in your spine.

How do you get an epidural steroid injection? ›

The procedure is done in the following way:
  1. You change into a gown.
  2. You then lie face down on an x-ray table. ...
  3. The health care provider cleans the area of your back where the needle will be inserted. ...
  4. The provider inserts a needle into your back. ...
  5. A mixture of steroid and numbing medicine is injected into the area.
Apr 24, 2023

Can you walk in and get a cortisone shot? ›

Can you get a cortisone shot at a walk-in? Yes, You can get a cortisone shot at a walk-in clinic. There are many walk-in clinics that you can visit for medical care. They are also called urgent care centers.

Can I get an epidural immediately? ›

A woman can get an epidural at almost any time in labor if she can remain relatively still; however, an epidural is generally not given if the baby is close to being delivered. Some women have heard they need to be dilated (meaning the cervix opens in preparation for birth) a certain amount before an epidural is given.

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