Epidural Steroid injections
Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are a medical treatment that involves injecting a corticosteroid medication into the epidural space in the spine.. Call us today to make an appointment we serve patients across New York and New Jersey, including communities such as Plainview, Ronkonkoma, New Hyde Park, Montville, and Plainfield.
The epidural space is the area outside the protective covering of the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. ESIs are typically used to treat pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs caused by spinal nerve inflammation. ESIs are typically administered in a hospital or outpatient clinic and do not require a hospital stay. The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes to complete and is usually done under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient lies on their stomach or side, and the skin over the injection site is numbed with a local anesthetic. A needle is inserted into the epidural space, and the corticosteroid medication is injected.
ESIs are generally considered safe, but as with any medical treatment, there are potential risks and complications, such as infection and bleeding. Most patients experience relief from pain within a few days to a few weeks after the injection, but the effects of the injection may only last for a few weeks to a few months. ESIs may be repeated if necessary. It is essential for patients to discuss the potential benefits and risks of ESIs with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
When back pain shoots down your leg — or neck pain runs into your arm — an epidural steroid injection (ESI) can calm the inflamed nerve and give you room to move again. Our pain physicians perform ESIs across Long Island and northern New Jersey, with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.
The short version
- ESIs work best for radiating pain — sciatica, a pinched nerve, or a herniated disc — not general muscle aches.
- Most people who respond feel relief within a few days to two weeks.
- Relief often lasts several weeks to a few months — a window to make real progress in physical therapy.
- It’s a quick, image-guided outpatient injection, not surgery.
What an epidural steroid injection treats
An ESI places anti-inflammatory steroid medication into the epidural space around your spinal nerves. When a nerve root is inflamed and irritated — usually by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes — that inflammation is what sends pain, numbness, or tingling down your leg or arm. The injection reduces the inflammation so the nerve can settle.
It tends to help most with radicular pain — pain that travels along a nerve path. The classic example is sciatica, where a lower-back problem sends pain down the leg. It’s generally less useful for pain that stays local to the back or neck without radiating, which is often better addressed with a facet joint injection instead.
How long does it take to work — and how long does it last?
If an ESI is going to help you, you’ll usually know within about two weeks. Research on sciatica from disc herniation found that roughly three in four patients get meaningful relief within that window. The steroid takes a few days to build its effect, so don’t judge it on day one.
The relief is real but not permanent. It commonly lasts several weeks to a few months. The honest way to think about it: an ESI opens a window of lower pain, and the durable fix comes from what you do inside that window — physical therapy, strengthening, and staying active. The injection buys you the comfort to do the work; it isn’t the whole treatment on its own.
Straight talk: ESIs don’t work for everyone — roughly a quarter of patients don’t get the relief they hoped for, and the effect can fade over time. That’s why we treat it as one step in a plan, not a standalone cure, and we’ll tell you honestly if we don’t think it’s your best option.
Are you a candidate?
An ESI is often worth considering when:
- Your pain radiates — down the leg (sciatica) or into the arm
- Imaging points to a herniated disc, stenosis, or an irritated nerve root
- A few weeks of conservative care hasn’t settled it
- You’d like to avoid, or at least delay, surgery and lean into rehab instead
What to expect
The injection is done in-office on an outpatient basis, guided by live X-ray so the medication reaches exactly the right spot. It takes only a few minutes. You’re awake, the area is numbed first, and you go home the same day — arrange a ride to be safe. Most people are back to light normal activity the next day.
You can generally have up to three or four ESIs in a year, spaced a few weeks apart, and your physician will set the right schedule based on how you respond.
Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire
We’re a local pain and orthopedic practice, so your evaluation, injection, and follow-up all happen close to home with the same team — no hospital-system runaround.
- New York: Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma — across Nassau and Suffolk
- New Jersey: Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield — serving Passaic, Morris, and Union County
- Interventional pain management and orthopedics under one roof
- Image-guided technique for precise, targeted relief
Insurance
Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an epidural steroid injection take to work?
Usually a few days to two weeks. The steroid needs time to reduce inflammation, so relief builds rather than switching on instantly. If you’ve felt nothing by about two weeks, it may not be the right treatment for you.
Does the injection hurt?
The skin is numbed first, and most people find it very tolerable — more pressure than sharp pain. Some soreness at the site for a day or two afterward is normal.
How long will the relief last?
Typically several weeks to a few months. Use that lower-pain window for physical therapy and strengthening, which is what makes the improvement last beyond the injection.
How many can I have?
Generally up to three or four per year, spaced a few weeks apart. Your physician sets the schedule based on how well each one works for you.
Am I awake during the procedure?
Yes. It’s a quick injection done with local numbing while you’re awake, and you’ll head home the same day with a driver.
What if it doesn’t work?
Not everyone responds, which is why we treat an ESI as one step, not the whole plan. If it doesn’t help enough, we’ll talk through other options rather than simply repeating it.
Pain running down your leg or arm?
Our pain physicians see patients across Long Island, NY and northern New Jersey. We’ll pinpoint the source of your nerve pain and tell you whether an epidural injection is the right move.
New York: 516-229-1443 | New Jersey: 732-630-7246
Our Back Pain Treatment Options May Include:
Epidural Steroid Injections
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant
Kyphoplasty / Vertebroplasty
Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
PRP Therapy
Stem Cell Therapy
Regenerative Disc Injections
Pain treatments are covered by most major medical insurances including Medicare, Workers Comp, No Fault & Others.
Verify your Coverage for FREE
Enter your information below to get started
Your information is encrypted and secure. By submitting this form, you agree to our Communications Terms and Privacy Policy and consent to receive SMS and email communications. You may opt out at any time. We are HIPAA-compliant and value your privacy.
Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. Monica Misak
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr. James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.