The sciatic nerve is located in the lower region of the spine. Inflammation or damage of this nerve can result in debilitating back pain that radiates into the buttocks and upper legs, a condition called sciatica. Patients who have sciatica may find relief from these uncomfortable, painful symptoms through an epidural steroid injection. Epidural steroid injection side effects should be discussed with a medical professional before a patient chooses this type of sciatica pain treatment.
Tingling and Numbness
Immediately after receiving an epidural steroid injection, treated patients can experience sensations of tingling and numbness near the site of injection, explain medical professionals with The Pain Clinic. These side effects of sciatica treatment are temporary and typically subside within two hours postinjection. Treated patients can also experience mild pain or soreness around the injection site, reports the Mayfield Clinic. Any patient who develops difficulty walking or standing after receiving an epidural steroid injection requires immediate medical attention.
Increased Back Pain
The sciatic nerve is located within the lumbar region of the spine. Patients who receive a lumbar epidural steroid injection can experience increased pain sensations at the site of injection as a side effect of treatment, according to Spine-Health medical professionals. The fluid injected into the epidural space within the spinal column can irritate or disrupt the sciatic nerve, causing pain. This increase in back pain is temporary and typically resolves within a day following receipt of the epidural steroid injection.
Headache, Flushing or Fever
After receiving an epidural steroid injection, patients with sciatic nerve damage can experience headaches or a fever as side effects of treatment, explains Spine-Health. Affected patients may develop a fever during the night after receiving this treatment. A fever can cause patients to appear unusually flushed or red. Fever and headache pain typically resolve within a day of treatment, but can contribute to difficulty sleeping in certain patients. Severe or persistent headache pain should be discussed with a doctor as this side effect can be the result of a dural puncture or wet tap.
Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Women who receive an epidural steroid injection to treat sciatic nerve problem can develop menstrual cycle irregularities as a side effect, according to The Pain Clinic. Affected women can experience unusually long or heavy menstrual cycles or may develop abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods. These side effects of an epidural steroid injection are temporary, but should be reported to a doctor if they occur.
References
- The Pain Clinic: Epidural Steroid Injections for the Treatment of Sciatica and Brachia - Side Effects
- Mayfield Clinic: Epidural Steroid Injection
- SpineUniverse: Sciatica - Treatment Options
- Spine-Health: Epidural Steroid Injections - Risks and Side Effects
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Back Pain and Sciatica - Epidural Steroid Injections
