The procedure will take 5 to 15 minutes. You will go home about an hour later.
Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.
If your injection had local anesthetic and a steroid, your legs may feel heavy or numb right after. You will probably be able to walk. But you may need to be extra careful. Take care not to lose your balance, and be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
If your injection contained local anesthetic, you may feel better right away. But this pain relief will last only a few hours. Your pain will probably return. This is because the steroids have not started working yet. Before the steroids start to work, your back may be sore for a few days.
These injections don't always work. When they do, it takes 1 to 5 days. This pain relief can last for several days to a few months or longer.
You may want to do less than normal for a few days. But you may also be able to return to your daily routine.
Some people are dizzy or feel sick to their stomach after getting this injection. These symptoms usually don't last very long.
If your pain is better, you may be able to keep doing your normal activities or physical therapy. But try not to overdo it, even if your back pain has improved a lot. If your pain is only a little better or if it comes back, your doctor may recommend another injection in a few weeks. If your pain has not changed, talk to your doctor about other treatment choices.
The doctor may use an imaging test before or during your injection. This can be an MRI, a CT scan, or an X-ray. These tests can show where your nerve problems are.
After finding the right spot, the doctor may inject a numbing medicine into the skin where you will get the steroid injection. Then the needle for the steroid is put into the numbed area. You may feel some pressure. You could feel some stinging or burning during the injection.
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