How long does it take epidural steroid injection to work

An epidural injection is used to deliver medication into the epidural space located between the bony outer margins of the spine and the nerves and their coverings.


Interventional radiology epidural injection

What is an epidural injection?

An epidural injection is used to deliver medication into the epidural space located between the bony outer margins of the spine and the nerves and their coverings. Usually a steroid and sometimes a mixture of local anaesthetic and steroid will be injected. 

Steroids reduce inflammation. By injecting directly into the epidural space, the medication moves throughout the epidural space, coating the nerve roots as they exit the spine thereby reducing discomfort.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and answer any question you have before proceeding. You will be asked to lie on your side or on your stomach, and the appropriate injection site will be identified using a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy.  

After sterilizing and numbing your skin the doctor will administer the injection, which takes a couple of minutes. You may experience some mild discomfort during the injection, but this usually resolves once the injection is finished. The needle is then removed and a small dressing is applied to the site.  

It is possible to feel numbness or heaviness in your leg or arms depending on the injection site. This is normal and should subside completely in a matter of hours.  

After a short observation period, you will be allowed to go home. The entire procedure usually takes approximately half an hour, though occasionally more time is required.

What to expect after the epidural injection?

After your injection you should feel the same or better for the first 12 hours. The local anaesthetic will then wear off and you may experience a return of your pain.

You should start feeling some pain relief two to three days following the injection. This may last for a matter of days, weeks and occasionally months. It can take up to 10-14 days to take effect.


What should I do on the day of my appointment?

  • You can eat and drink as normal.  
  • Take all your tablets as normal unless instructed. Bring any inhalers with you.
  • After you check in at main radiology reception, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown.
  • You will be met by a doctor and asked to sign a consent form.
  • You may ask any questions and discuss any issues you may have.

Known risks and side effects associated with epidural injection

Due to the procedure:

  • Infection (rare)
  • Bleeding (from the injection site) rare
  • Altered sensation below the level of the injection
  • Headache – occurs infrequently
  • More discomfort from the first few days after the injection
  • Bruising to the injection site
  • Altered motor function (reduced power) below the level of the injection
  • Allergy to the injected medication
  • Paralysis – very rare

Due to the injected steroid:

  • Facial flushing for a few days
  • Temporary increase in sugar levels (diabetics)


Important information

Please inform us on the number above if you are taking any of following tablets before attending, as some of these may need to be stopped some days before the procedure.

  • Antibiotics
  • Aspirin
  • Plavix
  • Warfarin
  • Dabigatran

Information for females

This examination should be performed within the first ten days of your menstrual cycle.  If you think you might be pregnant, contact the Interventional Radiology Department.

You must not drive home or go home via public transport. Please arrange for someone to collect you from the Radiology Department.

A lumber epidural steroid injection is a treatment to relieve pain in your lower back or legs caused by inflammation of the nerves in your spine.

Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are medications that bring down inflammation. Your doctor gives the injection into the epidural space around the spinal cord in your lower back.

You might get a lumbar steroid injection if you have pain from:

  • a herniated disc
  • spinal stenosis
  • degenerative spine disease
  • bone spurs

Everyone responds to the procedure differently. In general, a lumbar epidural steroid injection can be a bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. You can ask your doctor for a mild sedative to relax you before the procedure.

Your doctor will first inject a local anesthetic into the skin on your back to numb the area. The injection might cause a mild burning or stinging sensation.

You’ll likely feel some pressure when your doctor inserts the needle into the epidural space to inject the steroid medication. If you do feel any pain, your doctor can give you more of the local anesthesia to relieve it.

The epidural injection should start to relieve your back pain within 1 to 3 days. But sometimes it can take up to a week to see an improvement.

This treatment isn’t a cure for back pain, although some people do get permanent relief. Typically, if you’ve had chronic back pain, the injection may continue to work for 3 to 6 months or longer.

If the pain returns, you may need to get injections a few times a year. To potentially help extend the effects of this treatment, you may want to consider:

  • exercising regularly
  • not smoking
  • staying at a healthy weight for your body

Recovery from an epidural steroid injection is usually quick.

You won’t be able to drive for the rest of the day and will need someone to help you get home from the appointment.

Avoid soaking in a tub, pool, shower, or any other water until your doctor says you can resume these activities.

You should be able to go back to your usual activities the day after the procedure. But soreness might keep you from more strenuous activities, such as exercise, for a few days.

Your back might be a little sore for a few days after the injection. Holding an ice pack to the area three or four times per day and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can help.

Epidural steroid injections are safe overall. The most common side effects are mild and may include:

  • pain at the injection site
  • redness of your face and chest, called a steroid flush
  • trouble sleeping
  • anxiety
  • hot flashes
  • an increase in blood sugar levels
  • fluid buildup
  • increased back pain
  • headache

These side effects should improve without treatment within 1 or 2 days.

More serious problems are rare but can include:

  • bleeding
  • allergic reaction
  • infection
  • nerve damage
  • numbness or tingling
  • paralysis

Let your doctor know if your back still hurts a few days after the injection. And call your doctor’s office right away if you have more serious side effects, such as bleeding or an allergic reaction. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you need emergency care.

Before receiving an epidural steroid injection, discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment with your doctor.

Epidural steroid injections temporarily — and sometimes permanently — relieve back and leg pain from conditions such as a herniated disc or degenerative spine disease. Results can last for several months.

If you get a steroid injection and your pain doesn’t improve, talk with your doctor. The pain may not be coming from nerves in your spine.

You may need more tests to figure out the cause and a different type of treatment to relieve it.

What is the success rate of epidural steroid injections?

A study involving 22 participants showed 30% of patients experiencing pain relief at 1 month, 53% at 3 months, and 44% at 6 months after receiving bilateral injections. Other studies have reported pain relief for 2 years when 6 injections were spaced out and given during this period.

How long should you rest after epidural steroid injection?

This letter is to answer the most common questions and concerns of patients after an epidural steroid injection. You may resume normal activity as your comfort level allows, but do not engage in any strenuous activity for the first 24 hours after the procedure. You can return to work 24 hours after your procedure.

Why is pain worse after epidural steroid injection?

You may have an increase in pain levels for two to three days after an epidural steroid injection. This is because of irritation of the nerves in the area the steroid was injected. You should begin feeling pain relief within a few days of the epidural steroid injection.

Can an epidural steroid injection take 2 weeks to work?

The steroid takes two to three days to start to have an effect in most people, and it peaks in about two weeks. Therefore, it may be a while before you feel a change in your pain. Some local tenderness may be experienced for a couple of days after the injection.