Steroid Injections Side Effects and Warnings

Side effects

Epidural steroid injections are usually well tolerated. The following may occur with cortisone injection use:

• Dural Tears: may result from piercing the sac around the spinal nerves with the needle. This usually causes headache

• Infection: the incidence for this side effect is very low, it is usually avoided by using a sterile technique.

• Bleeding: also uncommon, this can avoided by not giving the medication to patients with bleeding disorders or those on blood thinning medication.

• Increased Blood Sugar: taking any steroid medication cause this side effect. If you have diabetes, you will be advised to monitor your blood sugar well after you receive an epidural steroid.