Epidural steroid injection: what to expect from your procedure - 08/2009

This handout explains epidural steroid injection, a test in which a steroid medicine and a local anesthetic are injected into the space around the patient's spinal cord and nerves. This is done to ease pain. The handout includes an explanation of the procedure, how to prepare, what results to expect, instructions for medicines, site care, activities, side effects, filling out a pain diary, and follow-up care.