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Resources

Epidural injections: risks and alternatives.

Epidural steroid injections are one of the most common treatments for back and leg pain. Most of Dr. Lee’s patients have already had one or more before they come to her. Many were never told the risks, or that the injection does nothing for the disc itself.

The FDA warning

The FDA requires a warning on epidural steroid injections.

The FDA has not approved steroids for injection into the spine. In 2014 it required a warning label about rare but serious problems after these injections, including loss of vision, stroke, paralysis and death.

The International Disc Education Association, of which Dr. Lee is a member, summarized the FDA’s warning in a one-page guide for patients.

Download the FDA warning (PDF)
Read the FDA’s announcement

What every patient should know about epidurals.

Not FDA approved for back pain

Epidural steroid injections are not FDA approved to treat sciatica, stenosis, arthritis, or bulging and herniated discs. Using them for spine pain is called “off label” use. This is not about epidurals given during childbirth.

They treat the pain, not the cause

Think of a rock in your shoe. A shot can calm the pain and swelling in your foot, but the rock is still there. An epidural calms the inflammation around the nerve. It does not take the pressure off the disc.

Repeated injections carry risks

Steroid injections are linked to bone loss, weight gain, higher blood sugar, infection and nerve damage. In 2014 the FDA added a warning about rare but serious problems, including stroke and paralysis, after steroid injections into the spine.

Read the FDA warning

Injections often come right before surgery

When injections stop working, the next recommendation is often surgery. Many people who end up having spine surgery had epidural injections first.

Dr. Lee evaluates whether non-surgical spinal decompression can help your disc without another injection or surgery.
How non-surgical decompression compares with other care

Next step

Start with an evaluation.

Dr. Lee examines every new patient herself.
Apply for an evaluation
Apply online. The office reviews your application and contacts you about the next step.

Prime Spine Wellness

(301) 272-2050

4833 Rugby Avenue, Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814

EMAIL: PRIMESPINEWELLNESS@GMAIL.COM

Office Hours

MON 11 AM – 2 PM and 3 – 6:30 PM
TUES 11 AM – 2 PM and 3 – 6:30 PM
WED 11 AM – 2 PM and 3 – 6:30 PM
(Closed for lunch 2 – 3 PM)
THURS 11 AM – 4:30 PM
FRI 11 AM – 4:30 PM
SAT and SUN CLOSED
  • Free reserved parking on levels 1 and 2 of the attached garage. Look for the Prime Spine Wellness signs.
Existing patient? Call the office to move an appointment or ask a question.