Side Effects Of Epidural Steroid Injection

Epidural Steroid Injections Weight Gain
Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Jonathan Hall

Dr. Hall is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon that specializes in treating patients that suffer from neck pain or back pain. He is able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery and the most complex procedures.

Are you curious about the side effects of epidural steroid injections? Florida Surgery Consultants in Palm Harbor, FL is here to help clear up any questions or concerns you may have about an epidural steroid injection procedure.

What Is An Epidural Steroid Injection?

An epidural corticosteroid (steroid) injection is a procedure that uses a syringe to quickly introduce pain medication into the body.

The procedure involves injecting a corticosteroid into the epidural area of the spine which is where the name, epidural steroid injection, comes from. The epidural is a fat-filled area that covers and protects the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

Epidural steroid injections are administered to help relieve pain stemming from the spine. Pain relief from epidural steroid injections can be lasting or short term depending on the patient and the root cause of their symptoms.

Why Get An Epidural Steroid Injection?

Some patients may choose to use epidural steroid injections as an alternative to more invasive surgical procedures for pain relief. An epidural steroid injection can be used to treat pain stemming from inflamed spinal nerves that radiate from your spine to your neck, arms, buttocks, or legs.

When nerve passages from the spine to your arms or legs become narrowed, it can result in debilitating pain and inflamed nerves. The narrowing of these spinal passageways may stem from a number of conditions, such as:

More severe conditions may require surgical intervention, but others may be helped by epidural steroid injections. Epidural steroid injections can help reduce inflammation of the nerves and open spinal passageways, creating significant pain relief. Pain relief is usually not permanent, however, meaning regular treatments are commonly needed.

Potential Side Effects Of Steroid Injections

With any procedure, there are side effects to be aware of. For instance, weight gain is something that can occur due to the medicine that these injections contain. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that causes weight gain and redistribution of body fat in undesirable areas such as the face, back of the neck, and abdomen. These injections can affect different parts of your body in all kinds of ways and it is important to pay attention and let a doctor know when something doesn’t seem right.

However, please note that side effects, if any, are different for each patient depending on how your body reacts to the injections. Steroid injection side effects happen to everyone differently and it is hard to say how it will affect you. That is why your doctor should inform you of the side effects before the procedure is done in order to ensure that your body can handle the epidural steroid injection.

Other common side effects of epidural steroid injections include:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Flushing of the face and chest
  • Pain at the injection site
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety

Fortunately, side effects from epidural steroid injections do not typically last. Most side effects will fade with time and rest. Patients who are suffering from pain at the injection site should use cold therapy to help reduce pain and swelling. If your side effects do not go away or worsen, contact your doctor immediately.

It is important to inform your doctor when these steroid injection side effects do occur so they can help you reverse them and get you feeling better. No one wants to gain weight or be in pain from something that was supposed to help them in the first place. All procedures have side effects and it is important to review them with your doctor beforehand.

Adverse Risks Associated With Epidural Steroid Injections

Anyone who is thinking about undergoing epidural steroid injections should not only be aware of the potential side effects but also of the risk for complications. Serious complications from epidural steroid injections are very rare and usually result from the injection solution getting into a blood vessel. Patients over 50 are at a greater risk for complications developing.

Infection

Most medical procedures do carry some risk of infection and epidural steroid injections are no exception. There is some risk that a systemic infection can develop around the injection site, or, in rare cases, develop infections in the brain or spinal cord.

Bleeding

Epidural steroid injections do also carry the risk of causing bleeding. Bleeding can occur at the injection site, within the epidural space, or in membranes of the spinal cord. If blood begins to pool, it could lead to a hematoma or blood clot within the artery. This could block blood flow to the brain or spinal cord. Notify your doctor immediately if you notice any issues with bleeding after an epidural steroid injection.

Nerve Damage

There is some risk of nerve damage with epidural steroid injections due to the nature of the procedure and location of injection. Nerve damage from epidural steroid injection can lead to abnormal sensations, loss of sensation, or seizures.

Heart Complications

Heart complications from epidural steroid injections are rare, but the procedure can cause low blood pressure and decrease heart rate.

Dural Puncture

A dural puncture occurs when the needle used for an epidural steroid injection is inserted too far, puncturing the outer membrane of the spinal cord (dura mater). Puncturing the dura mater can lead to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking out, causing a decrease in CSF pressure in the brain. This may lead to a headache and is also known as a wet tap.

Local Anesthetic Risks

Injections that contain a local anesthetic can become a risk if the solution enters the bloodstream. This situation could lead to toxicity in the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.

Particulate Steroid Risks

Particulate steroids carry the risk of reducing the blood supply to the spinal cord when large particles begin to lump together.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to epidural steroid injections are very rare, but they do occur. Patients may have an allergic reaction to the steroids, local anesthetic, or contrast dye used in the injection. Be sure to speak with your doctor about any allergies you have before your procedure.

Obtain An Epidural Steroid Injection with Florida Surgery Consultants

When you come to Florida Surgery Consultants for your epidural steroid injection, our experienced staff will make sure to review all the possible outcomes prior to your procedure. We will discuss all possible side effects of epidural steroid injections thoroughly and address any questions or concerns you may have.

It is important to us that you understand what is going into your body and how it affects you. These injections are used to take away the pain and help you feel relief so if something else comes up in the meantime, we want to help you with that as well. Just let us know when you are having side effects so we are all on the same page and can find a solution together.

Contact Us

If you have been wondering about the side effects of epidural steroid injections, reach out to Florida Surgery Consultants to find the answers you are looking for. We have six locations throughout Florida in Tampa, Ocala, Palm Harbor, The Villages, Bradenton, and Wesley Chapel.

If you are considering an epidural steroid injection, speak with a neurosurgeon today by contacting us at (888) 411-6824 or use our online form to schedule a consultation. These injections affect everyone differently and can help the pain you are feeling if you let us help you find the right one for you.

Schedule a Consultation Today