ESI (EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION)

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) are an interventional procedure that can help relieve neck, shoulder, arm, and back, buttock and leg pain caused by an inflamed or pinched spinal nerve root. ESI are commonly used to treat sciatica or radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, and disc herniation in the spine.

Individuals who may be diagnosed with the following conditions would be candidates for ESI:

• Spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal and nerve root canal can cause back and leg pain, especially when walking.
• Spondylolysis: A weakness or fracture between the upper and lower facets of a vertebra. If the vertebra slips forward (spondylolisthesis), it can compress the nerve roots causing pain.
• Herniated disc: The gel-like material within the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding wall (annulus). Irritation, pain, and swelling occur when this material squeezes out and comes in contact with a spinal nerve.
• Degenerative disc: A breakdown or aging of the intervertebral disc causing collapse of the disc space, tears in the annulus, and growth of bone spurs.
• Sciatica: Pain that courses along the sciatic nerve in the buttocks and down the legs. It is usually caused by compression of the 5th lumbar or 1st sacral spinal nerve.