What is a lumbar epidural steroid injection?
Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection (TESI)
A lumbar epidural steroid injection (lumbar ESI) is an injection of anti-inflammatory medicine — a steroid or corticosteroid — into the epidural space around the spinal nerves in your low back.
The main goal of lumbar epidural steroid injections is to manage leg weakness and chronic pain caused by irritation and inflammation of the spinal nerve roots in your low back (the lumbar region of your spine) due to certain conditions or injuries, such as, spinal stenosis.
You will be asked to stop your blood thinning medication prior to the injection. You may be asked to stop the medication anywhere from 6 hours to 10 days before the procedure. Blood thinning medication increases the risk of bleeding during the procedure so it’s important to let us know if you are taking these medications. Do not stop your blood thinner until we let you know it is safe to do so and we have authorization from your prescribing doctor.
A side effect of this injection can cause a rise in your blood sugar. If you are a diabetic, we ask that you call the morning of your injection and report your blood sugar reading. Too high of a number could result in having to reschedule your appointment.
