What is Spinal Corticosteroid Injection?

A spinal corticosteroid injection places corticosteroids into tissue around the spine. Corticosteroids are drugs that reduce painful swelling and irritation, called inflammation. They are injected into the back with a needle.

• To diagnose whether a specific site in the spine is the cause of persistent pain or disability

• To reduce pain caused by swelling or inflammation around the spine

• Improve physical function for people with persistent low back pain and/or sciatica

Spinal injections are typically performed when persistent pain and disability are not relieved by:

• Rest
• Ice and heat therapies
• Medicines
• Physical therapy
• Back exercises
• Changes to the physical set-up of the work environment
• Changes to physical activities, including work
• Spinal manipulation

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an injection, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Headache
• Allergic reaction to the medicine
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Fainting

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Current infection
• Certain pre-existing medical conditions
• Treatment with blood thinners or certain other medicines
• General ill health

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, bleeding, or discharge from the injection site
• Shortness of...