cervical epidural steroid injection

Anyone ever had this procedure done on any portion of their back/neck? Did it work for you in relieving disc-caused pain?

I'm going to my spine specialist tomorrow to try an epidural steroidal injection to deal with myofacial, upper back and neck pain and numbness I am getting from a bulged C5-C6 disc and thoracic discogenic pain and end plate disruption (T5-T7). All this stems from a MTB crash in 2002 and unfortunately meeting a car on my road bike back in Oct 2005.

If it works and provides relief, it confirms my neck and upper back pain is referred from my bulged disc in my neck; if it doesn't, it means we look closer at my thoracic back as the source of my problems.

I'm a little nervous about having an injection into my neck so close to the spinal cord, but it is the next logical clinical step in dealing with my problems.

I searched gimp central and saw that Buzz had one done, but i think that was in the lumbar back (right Buzz?)

Any first hand info and feedback would be greatly appreciated...thanks.

My wife has lots of cervical disc problems. She's had this injection done a number of times. You'll be put under a light general anesthesia. Under a flouroscope the doc will stick a needle into the space next between the disc and the nerve and inject the steroid. You'll probably have no pain right after the procedure. After the anesthetic wears off, you will have some local neck pain for 24 hrs. Plan on icing your neck. If your pain is caused by inflammation, then the steroid should kick in about 2 days and you'll get relief. If the pain is mechanical (ie bulging disc, bone spurs) you get little to no relief. As you already posted, this procedure is as much a diagnostic, with the hope to provide pain relief.

Since my wife has been living with these problems for 6 years now, I can give you lots of second person perspective and plenty of information. PM me if you want to discuss more. We can talk over the phone if you like.

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Originally Posted by peterslovo

I searched gimp central and saw that Buzz had one done, but i think that was in the lumbar back (right Buzz?)

Any first hand info and feedback would be greatly appreciated...thanks.

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Pete, yes, I did have ONE. I have 2 bulged discs, L4 and L5. Lower back is right.

It was a cortisone steroid ep, sounds like you will do the same.

The procedure is not bad if you don't mind large needles. They will numb you up good, I had to curl into a fetal position to let the needle go into the right part of my back. All was fine till they started pushing the fluid in and I got a sick to my stomach feeling, like when you break a bone or blow a joint, just for a split second, then a warm sensation INSIDE my back and down into my lower back. Very weird, not too uncomfortable though. I was out in about an hour and even drove home (in relative discomfort) 30 minutes. I would recommend someone to drive you home, it kind of sucked to sit in that position.


Mine helped for a good month in taking the severe pain away, along with physical therapy and got to a point where they said, "sir, do you want another", I said no. Looking back, should have continued treatment, isurance was there. Oh well.

Good luck. It may or may not help, but you won't know unless you try. Have some pain pills handy, you get the "uncomfortables" after.


edit: I did not go under, they just numbed my back.

Thanks E.O. - pm'd.

Thanks Ron.