7 Potential Health Risks Linked To Epidural Steroid Injections

By Author: Epidural Steroid Injections
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Epidural steroid injections are a swift means to address severe pain stemming from inflamed spinal nerves in the back, legs, or arms. They're frequently used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, joint cysts, bone spurs, and spinal arthritis. While these injections effectively alleviate pain, like any minimally invasive procedure, they come with certain health risks. If you're considering an epidural steroid injection as a treatment option, it's crucial to be well-informed about the possible side effects. Here are the seven potential health complications associated with epidural steroid injections:

1. Bleeding
Bleeding stands as one of the most common risks associated with epidural steroid injection. During the injection process, there's a possibility of accidentally damaging arteries. Arterial damage can lead to significant bleeding. Furthermore, it may result in the formation of hematoma or blood clots, a serious concern as clots have the potential to block blood supply to vital tissues like the brain or spinal cord.

2. ...
... Dural puncture
In some instances, the needle may inadvertently penetrate the dura mater, the tough outer membrane of the spinal cord, while administering an epidural steroid injection. This can lead to a leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the dura mater, reducing pressure within the brain and contributing to the development of severe headaches.

3. Infections
As with any minimally invasive procedure or injection, undergoing an epidural steroid injection puts you at risk of infection. Infections can affect the entire body or specific areas like the brain or spinal cord. Common complications include epidural and soft tissue abscesses. The former involves the accumulation of pus in the epidural space, while the latter sees pus gathering within the soft tissues.

Another potential complication is meningitis, which causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. In rare cases, infections like osteomyelitis or discitis can develop, affecting the vertebral bones or discs. Infections are often caused by bacteria from the patient's skin.

4. Nerve damage
The spinal cord is enveloped by a vast network of nerves. During an epidural steroid injection, there's a risk of accidentally damaging one of these nerves. Nerve damage can result in distressing symptoms, including loss of sensation, abnormal sensations at the injection site, and even seizures.

If the doctor happens to damage the cauda equina nerves, it can lead to the development of cauda equina syndrome, an emergency condition that can cause loss of bladder or bowel control and even permanent paralysis of the legs.

5. Heart problems
Epidural steroid injections can cause a variety of symptoms of heart disease. Slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and high blood pressure are all possible signs. More serious problems, such as cardiopulmonary arrest, are uncommon. Blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations can also cause nausea, vomiting, poor balance, headache, and dizziness. If you have these symptoms, you must immediately notify your healthcare provider since early intervention can save your life.

6. Local anesthetic risks
A local anesthetic dose is typically included in epidural steroid injections in order to reduce injection discomfort. A bloodstream entry of the anesthetic may result in toxicity to the central nervous system and possibly the cardiovascular system. Tinnitus, numbness around the mouth, lightheadedness, vertigo, and anxiety are some signs of central nervous system toxicity.

7. Steroid risks
Larger doses of steroids may occasionally cause blood vessels to constrict, lowering blood flow to the spinal cord. Sudden pain in the back, weakness in the back muscles, and loss of feeling may come from this. Extreme blood supply cutbacks have the potential to paralyze the legs. It is crucial to be aware of these potential risks while considering epidural steroid injections as a therapeutic approach.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)