A caudal epidural steroid injection is an injection into the lowest part of your spine, just above the buttocks. It is used to reduce inflammation that may be irritating nerves and causing pain in your lower back, buttocks, or legs.
Caudal epidural steroid injections can treat pain caused by degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and other conditions affecting the lower spine. They can provide pain relief for months and can be repeated if your pain returns.
At The Spine Care Center, our pain medicine experts perform hundreds of epidural steroid injections each year to relieve back pain. Thanks to their accurate diagnoses and skilled injection placements, the majority of our patients find lasting relief without scheduling back surgery.
Caudal epidural steroid injections do not require much preparation. Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink for a time before your injection if you are receiving sedation. They may also ask you to stop taking certain medications before your procedure. You should always tell your doctor about any herbs, supplements, and medications you take.
You will need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home after the injection.
Epidural steroid injections are performed in our procedure suite. Our aim is to make you feel as comfortable as possible during your procedure, and our board-certified anesthesiologists can provide you with a sedative to minimize your pain and discomfort.
After you are sedated, your physician will also apply a local anesthetic to the injection site. They will then insert a dye into your spine that helps them guide the steroid injection into your back.
During an epidural injection, the needle is carefully placed into the fluid-filled area around the nerves in your spine. The medicine is then slowly injected and spreads to the area requiring pain relief.
After the injection is complete, the doctor will place a bandage on the injection site, and you will be slowly brought out of sedation. The entire procedure takes just a few minutes.
If you were sedated for your procedure, you will need to stay at our office for about half an hour as the sedation wears off. You will be monitored by our clinical staff during this recovery period. After you’re ready to be discharged, your family member or friend can then drive you home. You should rest and apply ice to your injection site if it feels tender.
You will be able to return to your normal activities the next day. You may start to feel the benefit of the steroid injection the next day or soon thereafter. You may experience rare, mild side effects such as a flushed face, trouble sleeping, or anxiety. If you are concerned about side effects, you should always speak to your physician.
Don’t live with back or neck pain. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas or request an appointment online to learn more about caudal epidural steroid injections.