Epidural steroid injections may be considered for pain associated with irritated or inflamed spinal nerves. They are most often evaluated when discomfort begins in the neck or lower back and travels into an arm or leg. This pattern may occur when a spinal nerve is compressed or narrowed by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, bone spur, or another structural change involving the spine.

Symptoms that may lead to an evaluation include:

• Sciatica extending from the lower back into the leg
• Neck pain radiating through the shoulder or arm
• Burning, tingling, or numbness along a nerve pathway
• Leg discomfort related to lumbar spinal stenosis
• Arm or leg pain associated with radiculopathy

These injections are generally not intended for every type of back pain, including nonspecific discomfort that remains limited to the spine. A detailed examination and available imaging help determine whether inflamed spinal nerves are contributing to the symptoms.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we assess the location, pattern, and severity of each patient’s pain before discussing epidural steroid injections. She reviews medical history, physical findings, previous treatments, and diagnostic studies to determine whether this procedure may support improved comfort and mobility.

Preparing for an epidural steroid injection begins with providing complete information about your health. Inform the physician about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, allergies, recent illnesses, infections, diabetes, pregnancy, and previous reactions to contrast dye. This information helps the physician plan the procedure and reduce avoidable risks.

Before the appointment, you may be instructed to:

• Discuss blood thinners well in advance
• Follow specific eating and drinking restrictions
• Arrange for an adult to drive you home
• Bring identification, insurance information, and relevant imaging
• Wear comfortable clothing
• Report fever, infection, or significant health changes

Never stop anticoagulants, diabetes medicines, or other prescribed treatments unless the prescribing physician and procedural specialist provide clear instructions. Preparation requirements can differ depending on whether sedation is planned.

Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab provides individualized instructions before the injection based on the patient’s medications, health conditions, and planned procedure. Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, explains what to do before arrival, what to expect during treatment, and which temporary activity restrictions may apply afterward.

The duration of relief following an epidural steroid injection differs considerably among patients. The corticosteroid usually begins reducing inflammation within one to three days, although some individuals may need up to a week to notice improvement. Relief may continue for several weeks or months when the injection successfully addresses an inflamed spinal nerve.

How long the effects last may depend on:

• The underlying spinal condition
• The degree of nerve irritation
• The injection location and technique
• The patient’s response to the medication
• Daily activity and rehabilitation participation
• Whether the structural source of pressure remains present

An epidural injection offers temporary symptom management rather than permanently correcting a herniated disc, spinal narrowing, or another anatomical concern. Some people experience meaningful improvement, while others receive limited or no relief.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, patients are monitored after their procedure to assess changes in pain, movement, and daily function. Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, uses the patient’s response to determine whether additional rehabilitation, another treatment option, or continued observation may be appropriate.

There is no standard series of epidural steroid injections that is appropriate for every patient. The number considered depends on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, response to the first procedure, overall health, and functional improvement. Additional injections are generally discussed only when earlier treatment produced meaningful relief or when a different approach may be clinically appropriate.

Medicare coverage guidance limits epidural steroid injections to no more than four treatment sessions per spinal region within a rolling 12-month period. It also states that a predetermined series should not be scheduled automatically. A repeat procedure is usually based on documented improvement in pain or function, and insurance plans may apply different authorization or coverage requirements.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, we review how much relief was achieved, how long it lasted, and whether mobility or daily activities improved before recommending another injection. This measured process helps ensure that treatment decisions remain connected to the patient’s response rather than an automatic schedule.

Patients seeking epidural steroid injections near Skibo Road should choose a practice that begins with a comprehensive assessment rather than immediately scheduling a procedure. An appropriate evaluation may include reviewing the pain pattern, neurological symptoms, physical examination findings, prior treatments, and available spinal imaging.

The selected physician should also explain:

• Why the injection is being considered
• Which spinal area will be targeted
• How imaging guidance is used
• What preparation is required
• What outcomes and limitations are realistic
• How progress will be evaluated afterward

Epidural steroid injections are commonly performed with fluoroscopic or CT guidance to support accurate needle placement.

Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab provides epidural steroid injections at 1540 Purdue Drive, Suite 200, in Fayetteville, NC, for patients near Skibo Road and surrounding communities. Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, develops personalized treatment recommendations and provides follow-up guidance based on each patient’s symptoms, diagnostic findings, and response to care.

Dr. Meisha K. Abbasinejad, MD, is a trusted choice for epidural steroid injections near Skibo Road because she carefully evaluates each patient’s symptoms, medical history, physical findings, and available imaging before recommending treatment. Her individualized assessment helps determine whether irritated spinal nerves may be contributing to pain and whether an epidural injection is appropriate for the patient’s specific condition.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine and Rehab, Dr. Abbasinejad provides clear guidance before, during, and after the procedure. She explains the treatment process, discusses realistic expectations, monitors the patient’s response, and recommends suitable follow-up care based on changes in pain, mobility, and daily function.

Contact us today for more information, or simply schedule an appointment online! We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, in Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Woodfield NC, Hope Mills NC, Fort Bragg NC, Eastover NC, and surrounding areas.