Epidural injections are used to place local anesthetics and/or
steroids directly near the source of pain and inflammation. The
medication is injected in the epidural space of the spinal
canal. Steroid medication is used to reduce inflammation and
relieve pain. A salt water (saline) solution may be added to
flush chemicals that cause inflammation. Short or long acting
anesthetic medications are used to relieve pain, such as that
associated with shingles or cancer. Epidural injections are
short outpatient procedures that can be given at a surgery
center, hospital, or your doctor’s clinic. You will wear a gown
for the procedure. You will be positioned sitting up or lying
down. Before you receive the epidural injection, the injection
site on your back will be sterilized and numbed with an
anesthetic. You may receive relaxation medicine before your
procedure begins. Your doctor will use a live X-ray image
(fluoroscopy) to carefully insert and guide the needle to the
epidural space. A contrast dye is used to confir