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Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection

What is a cervical epidural steroid injection?

This injection relieves pain in the neck, shoulders, and/or arms caused by a pinched nerve (or nerves) in the cervical spine. Conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings) can compress nerves, causing inflammation and pain. The medication injected helps decrease the swelling of nerves.

Cervical epidural steroid injections are very technique-sensitive, so healthcare providers performing the injection must have significant specialized training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cervical epidural steroid injection painful?

You’ll likely experience a minor pinch when your provider injects the local anesthetic to numb the area before your cervical epidural steroid injection.
You may not feel anything during your cervical ESI injection, or you may feel the following:
- Pressure.
- Tingling.
- A burning sensation.
- Momentary pain.

What should I expect after my cervical epidural steroid injection?

After your injection, you may feel some discomfort where your healthcare provider inserted the needle. This is normal and should only last a few hours.
If your cervical ESI procedure involved a local anesthetic, your neck, shoulder, arm and/or hand may feel heavy or numb after your ESI. This is normal and shouldn’t last very long.
Your provider may tell you to take it easy and minimize your activity level for the rest of the day.
Your pain may become worse for two to three days after your cervical ESI before it begins to improve. Epidural steroid injections start working within two to seven days, and the pain relief can last several days to a few months or longer.

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