Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

This injection procedure relieves lower back pain and radiating leg pain. The steroid medication can be a remedy for spinal conditions that include spinal stenosis, herniated discs and sciatica.

To begin, the patient rests on a cushion placed underneath his/her stomach. This cushion provides comfort and also flexes the lumbar spine, opening it up and allowing for the doctor to have easy access to the painful area. Using a fluoroscope, the doctor identifies the lumbar vertebrae and nerve root, and a local anesthetic is applied to the surrounding tissue.

A thin needled is then inserted into the space near the nerve root, and a contrast solution is injected to confirm the correct location of the pain. A steroid-anesthetics mix is then injected to relieve the irritated nerve root.