This injection can be performed in one of two locations. Injections performed in the office are placed into the lumbar spine region, without X-rays. Injections performed in the ambulatory surgical center are placed into the sacral spine region, with X-ray localization.

In the procedure room, the physician will cleanse your back with antiseptic solution. He will also numb your skin with anesthetic prior to performing the Epidural Steroid Injection.

Using anatomic landmarks, the physician directs a needle through the back into the epidural space (the space around the sac that holds the nerve roots). When a C-arm flouroscope (X-ray) unit is used, the position of the needle is occasionally verified by injecting a small amount of contrast dye through the needle into this region. Once the localization is appropriate, a mixture of local anesthetic and cortisone is injected into the epidural space. The steroid works in the epidural space as well as over the exiting nerve roots.