What are epidural steroid injections (ESIs)?
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a conservative approach to alleviate pain associated with lower back pain radiating to lower extremities and neck pain radiating to upper extremities. In order to achieve pain relief, it is necessary for the ESI regimen to reach the epidural space. In this non-surgical pain relieving approach, a combination of steroid medicine and local anesthetic is infiltrated into the epidural space which surrounds the spinal cord and nerve roots. It is a widely accepted pain relieving and treatment strategy for sciatica. However, ESI alone are not sufficient for the treatment. Physical therapy and supporting treatment is also needed.