What To Expect After Epidural Steroid Injection

At Northstar Joint and Spine, we understand the importance of effective pain management and recovery. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you receive comprehensive care before, during, and after your epidural steroid injection. This minimally invasive procedure is often used to alleviate pain caused by nerve inflammation, and proper post-procedure care is crucial for optimal results.

Following your epidural steroid injection, we recommend taking it easy for the first 24 to 48 hours. This rest period is essential for allowing the medication to effectively target the inflamed nerves and to ensure that you experience the maximum benefit from the procedure.

Resting doesn’t mean you have to be inactive. We encourage light activities such as walking and gentle stretching, which can aid in circulation and prevent stiffness. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and avoid any movements that increase discomfort.

Other Considerations

• Driving: We advise against driving immediately after your injection due to potential side effects like dizziness or numbness.

• Sleeping: Try to avoid sleeping on the injection site to reduce discomfort.

• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage any post-procedure discomfort.

Our commitment to your recovery extends beyond the procedure. Most patients can resume light activities a few days after the injection, but the timeline for returning to more demanding routines will vary. It’s important to follow personalized advice from your healthcare provider. We prioritize follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and to determine if further treatment is needed.

At our practice, we prioritize your recovery and well-being following an epidural steroid injection (ESI). To ensure the best outcomes and enhance the effectiveness of your treatment, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Immediate post-injection Care

• Limit Strenuous Activities: Avoid heavy lifting, running, or engaging in high-impact exercises for 24-48 hours post-injection. These activities can increase pressure on the injection site, which may lead to pain or nerve irritation.

• Refrain from Driving: If you experience numbness or weakness in your legs, avoid driving for at least 8 hours after your injection. These side effects may impair your ability to drive safely.

• Avoid Alcohol: For the first 24 hours, limit alcohol consumption as it can thin your blood and potentially interfere with the injection’s effectiveness.

• No Heat on Injection Site: Do not apply heat, such as hot baths or heat packs, to the injection area for the first day.
Long-Term Activity Management

• Monitor Sitting and Standing Duration: Avoid prolonged sitting or standing to reduce pressure on the injection site. Incorporate frequent breaks to move and stretch.

• Gradual Return to Heavy Lifting: Slowly reintroduce heavy lifting into your routine, steering clear of objects over 20 pounds until you’ve been cleared by your physician.

• Limit High-Impact Activities: Steer clear of contact sports and high-impact exercises, like jumping or intense cardio, until your doctor provides clearance.

Additional Recovery Tips

• Balance Rest and Activity: While rest is crucial, ensure you incorporate gentle movement into your routine. This can support recovery without risking overexertion.

• Apply Ice for Relief: Use ice on the injection site for brief intervals (15-20 minutes) to help manage pain and reduce inflammation.

• Follow Medication Guidance: Use any prescribed pain medication as directed to manage discomfort effectively.

By adhering to these guidelines and any personalized instructions from your healthcare provider, you can minimize complications and enhance the benefits of your epidural steroid injection, promoting effective recovery and long-term relief.

At our practice, we prioritize your safety and well-being, particularly when undergoing procedures such as epidural steroid injections, which are effective in reducing inflammation and pain in the spine. Following such treatments, it’s crucial to adhere to our professional guidance regarding driving.

We generally advise patients to refrain from driving for a period of 12 to 24 hours post-injection. This time frame allows potential temporary side effects—such as numbness, weakness, dizziness, or blurred vision—to subside. These symptoms can impede your ability to drive safely. Furthermore, any sedation or local anesthetic used during the procedure can impact reflexes and coordination, making immediate driving unsafe.

The advised wait time may differ based on several individual factors:

• Type of Injection: Different types of injections may necessitate varying wait periods.

• Injection Location: The specific area of the spine treated might influence wait time recommendations.

• Personal Response: The effect of the medication and its duration can vary from person to person.

Driving while under the influence of medications used during an epidural steroid injection can impair coordination, reaction time, and judgment. To ensure your safety, please abstain from driving until the medication has fully worn off, and you feel completely alert and capable.

At Northstar Joint and Spine, we prioritize your recovery and well-being following an epidural steroid injection. These injections are designed to alleviate pain and inflammation in the spine, commonly caused by conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis. To ensure optimal results and minimize risks, it is essential to follow these guidelines tailored to your needs.

Immediate Post-Injection Period:

• Rest is crucial for the first 24 to 48 hours post-injection. This allows the medication to take effect and your body to recover from the procedure.

• Avoid any strenuous activities, including heavy lifting or high-impact exercises. It’s important to limit movements that might strain your back or neck during this time.

Gradual Return to Activity:

• After the initial rest period, you can slowly reintroduce light activities like walking or cycling. These exercises help maintain mobility without overtaxing your spine.

• Pay close attention to your body’s response as you increase your activity level. If you experience any pain or discomfort, cease the activity and reach out to your physician.

• Steer clear of activities that could place excessive pressure on the treated area.

Following these guidelines and maintaining communication with your healthcare provider at Northstar Joint and Spine will help you maximize the benefits of your epidural steroid injection. Always consult with our team before making changes to your exercise routine to ensure alignment with your recovery plan and overall health needs. Contact us today for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7704 San Jacinto Pl Suite #200 Plano, TX 75024. We serve patients from Plano TX, McKinney TX, Richardson TX, Frisco TX, Allen TX, Addison TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!