Epidural Steroid Injection Discharge Instructions

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Caudal Transforaminal, Selective nerve root block.

You may experience increased discomfort for 24 hours after the injection.
Limited activity and rest is recommended for this time period.
You may gradually resume regular activities as your discomfort subsides.
Do not drive or operate machinery for 12 hours.
You will need a responsible adult with you for the next 4-6 hours.
You may remove the Band-Aid tonight unless you have had a cervical injection in which case you may remove it in the morning. Lidoderm patch may stay on 12-24 hours as long as kept dry.
Steroid medications take 2-5 days to become effective; therefore, you may not experience immediate pain relief.
If you are a diabetic, the steroid may increase your blood sugar for 7-14 days. Should your blood sugar increase, please call the physician that manages your diabetes.
If you are taking blood thinners, you may resume it 12 hours after your procedure.

Notify the Southeast Pain Management Center if any of the following occurs:

Discomfort that becomes severe and/or interferes with normal movement or feeling.
Signs of infection at injection site, which may include warmth, redness, swelling, foul odor and drainage.
Increase in temperature above 100.5 degrees orally.
Excessive bleeding from injection site.
New changes in sensation or motor function such as new areas of numbness, weakness, or changes in bowel or bladder function.

Telephone numbers:
Southeast Pain Management Center