Epidural steroid injection is an effective technique for pain management. It does not require any surgical procedure because it is simply an injection of local anesthetic administered into the spine.
It is a way to reduce inflammation in the spine, is effective for pain, and is used in some treatments for conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or herniated disc.
The price of an epidural steroid injection without insurance assistance
Medications and disease treatment are often more expensive when you don’t have insurance; an epidural steroid injection ranges from $780 to $1,900 without insurance. The price is for the injection only; the cost is additional if you require some contrast in the procedure.
Your doctor should order a CT scan, X-ray, or MRI to confirm that you require the injection to avoid unnecessary expense.
How is the injection given?
It is a medication that an anesthesiologist or interventional radiologist must administer, and you must go to an office, specialized clinic, or hospital to receive the dose. The specialist will lay you down on an x-ray table with your back bent to begin the procedure.
If you feel the pain, you can notify the doctor, and they will allow you to sit in a more comfortable position to receive the injection. For the procedure, an X-ray is used; it will be the guide to placing the liquid in the indicated space without causing discomfort in other areas.
You must make sure that they use this guide; otherwise, the medication may get lost, and they could put the injection in the wrong area, causing injury or greater pain. When the injection is in the indicated spot, the contrast is applied to determine if it is in the right place.
After confirmation, the steroid solution is injected, ranging from 3 to 10 ml. The amount depends on the approach and steroid used. Less than half an hour is required for the whole process.
Is there any risk to epidural steroid injection?
Although the procedure and the fluid are considered safe by physicians, some risks include inflammation of the spinal cord lining, damage, meningitis, paralysis, or nerve injury.
Other less common risks include headaches, dizziness, back pain, incontinence, urinary retention, increased pain, vomiting, facial flushing, or discomfort at the injection site.
Are there any other side effects?
Pain, swelling, and bleeding at the injection site are the most common side effects. Uncommon side effects include weight gain, anxiety, nausea, hot flashes, diarrhea, changes in blood pressure, and water retention.
It is the best solution to treat different conditions such as compression fractures, annular tears, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, cysts, and lumbar disc herniations.
Before purchasing the injection, consider these factors
If your doctor advises you to have an epidural steroid injection, you should ask if there is no other treatment with which you can treat the problem. If you have already tried all the options, make sure you know the risks and find an experienced professional to give the injection.
After the injection, almost all patients can move immediately; they can resume their routines without issues, but if you feel discomfort, we recommend you take a day or two to rest a little.
You can take mild analgesics, and ice compresses to relieve pain and swell in the area where the liquid is applied. If you have different associated pathologies, it is best to be under observation for the following 7/10 days to control the symptoms and avoid any risk.