The epidural steroid injection is an injection of a cortisone solution into the spine that treats pain in the back or legs. It is performed with X-ray guidance and under local anesthesia to treat the nerves that are being pinched or irritated by a "slipped" or herniated disk in the spine. Other terms that are used for this problem are cervical radiculopathy or lumbar radiculopathy.

Another common cause of nerve pain coming from the spine is spinal stenosis, which may also be treated by epidural steroid injections. These injections are most commonly performed in the lumbar spine (low back) or cervical spine (neck).

For more information about the epidural steroid injection, call the Interventional Pain Clinic, in Seattle, at (206) 223-7582.