Epidural steroid injection technique

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive, image guided procedure for the treatment of back pain. Pain originating in the lumbar spine is the most common referral for ESI but the entire spine may be targeted. ESI can provide temporary but meaningful relief for patients who may have failed conservative management with oral analgesics and physical therapy. ESI may provide analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects that allow more conservative measures like physical therapy to become more effective. ESI also serves as a bridge between conservative and surgical management, intervention for postsurgical pain, or an alternative for nonsurgical candidates. This article reviews the technique for performing ESI in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine.