Treatment Options:

Epidural steroid injections deliver medication or steroids right to the epidural space in your spine. The injection may include a local anesthetic or a saline solution designed to help flush out the proteins that are causing inflammation around the source of the pain.

Epidural injections may include some or all of the following:

• Steroids or Cortisone. Steroids or cortisone are anti-inflammatory agents. Inflammation is a primary contributor to lower back conditions, so reducing inflammation minimizes the pain.
• Lidocaine. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is quick acting. It provides temporary pain relief. It can also serve as a diluting agent or a flushing agent to get rid of some of the chemical agents in the epidural space that may be contributing to inflammation.
• Saline. Saline can dilute the local anesthetic and also serves as a flushing agent to minimize inflammation.