Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections

An epidural steroid injection may be done to relieve the severe leg pain associated with conditions such as degenerative disc disease (disc thinning), spinal stenosis (spinal pinching), and postlaminectomy syndrome (return of pain after spinal surgery). This injection is done on an outpatient basis. Using fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance) to determine its proper position, the needle is positioned above the sac containing spinal fluid. Its position is verified with an injection of a small volume of dye. Next, a mixture of steroid medication and an anesthetic is injected (see Fig.1 below).

The steroid is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that can relieve pain in as quickly as 15 minutes or take as long as 2 weeks, and the pain relief can last for as long as 3 months. Approximately 62% of patients experience relief with a single epidural steroid injection. However, some patients can require as many as 3 injections to experience relief.