Epidural Steroid Injections in Las Vegas, NV
An epidural steroid injection is a nonsurgical treatment that delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space around irritated spinal nerves. At Apex Medical Center in Las Vegas, our pain management physicians use image guidance to place the medication precisely where inflammation is causing back pain, leg pain, or sciatica, with the goal of reducing pain and helping you return to daily activities and physical therapy.
Who is an epidural steroid injection for?
An epidural steroid injection may be an option if you have pain that travels from your back into your leg, or from your neck into your arm, and conservative care such as rest, medication, and physical therapy has not given you enough relief.
Conditions commonly treated with epidural steroid injections include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
- Pinched nerves in the neck or lower back
- Degenerative disc disease
- Post-surgical back pain, in selected cases
During your evaluation, your provider will review your symptoms, examination, and imaging to determine whether an epidural injection is appropriate for you, and which approach — for example, an interlaminar or transforaminal approach — best matches the source of your pain.
What happens during an epidural steroid injection?
The injection is an outpatient procedure, and most patients go home the same day. The procedure itself usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
- You check in, and your care team reviews your medications and allergies with you.
- You lie face down on a procedure table. The skin over the injection area is cleaned, and a local anesthetic is used to numb the area.
- Using live X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy), your physician guides a thin needle into the epidural space near the affected nerve.
- A small amount of contrast may be used to confirm correct placement, and the steroid medication — often combined with a local anesthetic — is injected.
- You rest briefly in a recovery area while the team monitors you, and then you are discharged home. If you receive any sedation, you will need a driver.
How should I prepare, and what happens afterward?
Your care team will give you specific instructions before your appointment. In general:
- Tell your provider about all medications you take, especially blood thinners, diabetes medications, and any allergies. Do not stop any prescribed medication unless your provider tells you to.
- Tell your provider if you could be pregnant, have an infection, or have poorly controlled diabetes, as steroids can temporarily raise blood sugar.
- Arrange for a driver if there is any chance you will receive sedation.
After the injection, it is common to have mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two. The local anesthetic may give some early relief that wears off before the steroid begins to work. The steroid typically starts to reduce inflammation over several days, and the full effect is often felt within about a week.
How long does relief last?
Relief varies from person to person. Some patients notice improvement that lasts weeks, and others experience relief for several months. An epidural injection is often most helpful as part of a broader plan — for example, making it possible to participate more fully in physical therapy and rebuild strength while pain is reduced.
If an injection helps but pain later returns, your provider may discuss whether a repeat injection is appropriate for you, or whether another treatment — such as radiofrequency ablation or a different procedure — is a better next step. There is no guaranteed duration of relief, and your provider will base recommendations on how you respond.
Why choose Apex Medical Center for your epidural injection?
- Experienced proceduralists: Epidural injections at Apex are performed by our interventional pain physicians, including Dr. David Ezeanolue and Dr. Alafuro Oruene.
- Image-guided precision: Injections are performed with fluoroscopic guidance, so medication is delivered to the intended area.
- Procedures in our own surgery center: Procedures are performed at Precision Surgery Center, our Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center at 1701 Wellness Way, Suite 202 — the same building as our Wellness Way clinic in Suite 200.
- Care at three Las Vegas locations: Evaluations and follow-up care are available at our Bonanza, Wellness Way, and Pecos locations, and our Pecos office is minutes from Henderson.
- A complete pain plan: An injection is one part of your care. Your Apex team coordinates medication management, therapy, and follow-up procedures when needed.
Frequently asked questions about epidural steroid injections
Does an epidural steroid injection hurt?
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. A local anesthetic numbs the skin and tissues before the injection, so the most common sensation is brief pressure. Mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two afterward is common.
How soon will I feel relief?
Some patients feel early relief from the local anesthetic, which can wear off within hours. The steroid usually begins working over several days, and many patients notice the clearest improvement within about a week. Relief is not guaranteed and varies by patient and condition.
How many epidural injections can I have?
That depends on your condition, how much relief you get, and your overall treatment plan. Your provider will discuss whether a repeat injection makes sense for you and how frequently injections should be spaced.
Is an epidural steroid injection the same as an epidural during childbirth?
No. Both involve the epidural space in the spine, but the purpose and medications differ. A pain management epidural delivers a steroid to reduce inflammation around an irritated nerve. A childbirth epidural delivers anesthetic to block sensation during labor.
What are the risks?
As with any procedure, there are risks, which can include temporary soreness, bleeding, infection, headache, a temporary increase in pain, and effects related to steroids such as a temporary rise in blood sugar. Serious complications are uncommon. Your physician will review the risks and benefits with you before the procedure and answer your questions.
If back pain, sciatica, or a pinched nerve is limiting your life, schedule an evaluation at Apex Medical Center. Call (702) 310-9110 or book an appointment online today.
This page provides general information only and is not medical advice. Whether an epidural steroid injection is right for you can only be determined after an evaluation by a qualified provider.
