Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are minimally invasive spine procedures to relieve pain. They are used to treat inflammation and irritation involving spinal nerve roots.
These injections deliver anti-inflammatory medicine directly near a specific spinal nerve as it exits the spine.
At the University of Kentucky Interventional Pain Medicine program, we perform these injections using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to improve precision and safety.
These procedures may be performed in different areas of the spine, including the:
- Neck (cervical spine)
- Mid-back (thoracic spine)
- Lower back (lumbar spine)
Conditions commonly treated
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections may be an option for patients with:
- Cervical, thoracic or lumbar radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Nerve root inflammation
- Degenerative spine disease
- Radiating arm or leg pain
We will create your treatment plan based on your symptoms, diagnosis, imaging findings and response to past treatments.
How the procedure works
With this approach, medication is delivered near a specific nerve root.
The goal of treatment is to:
- Reduce nerve inflammation
- Decrease pain
- Improve numbness or tingling
- Improve mobility and daily function
By targeting the nerve causing your symptoms, this injection may provide relief for pain that spreads or travels along the path of the nerve.
What to expect
During the procedure, we:
- Have you lie on an X-ray table
- Clean your skin using sterile techniques
- Use local anesthetic to numb the skin
- Use fluoroscopic (X-ray) imaging to identify the target area
- Advance a thin needle near the exiting spinal nerve
- Inject contrast dye to confirm accurate placement of the medicine
- Deliver corticosteroid and anesthetic medicine near the affected nerve
Typically, the procedure is brief. It is usually outpatient, with patients going home the same day.
Recovery and expectations
Some patients get temporary relief from the local anesthetic shortly after the procedure.
Longer-lasting relief from the steroid medicine often develops over several days, although response times vary.
How long pain relief lasts depends on the condition being treated and your individual response to the injection.
Recovery and activity guidelines are also different for each patient, based on their condition and findings from the procedure.
Risks
Risks are generally low but may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Headache
- Temporary weakness or numbness
- Nerve irritation or injury
- Allergic reaction
- Temporary increase in pain
- Incomplete pain relief
Your physician will review the risks and benefits of the procedure during your evaluation.
Multidisciplinary spine care
Our specialists work together to design a care plan based on your symptoms and needs. They offer a variety of approaches for spinal pain conditions, including:
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation strategies
- Medication management
- Image-guided spinal procedures
- Neuromodulation
- Minimally invasive spine procedures
We personalize treatment plans based on your symptoms, imaging findings, past treatments and functional goals.