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What Are The Side Effects Of A Steroid Injection?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Question: Mom had an epidural steroid injection at L 4-5 today. How long does it take for you to know if it worked? Shes stull dore in back , hip and leg. Is it a bad sign if she hasnt gotten any relief after 4 hours??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should wait a couple of days to see the effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

It depends on what wad used during injection, if there was used only a steroid drug, it can take few days to one week to see the effects.

If there was used a painkiller too, some immediate effect should be noticed, but this effect in pain subsides in few hours.

In conclusion, you should give the epidural injection at least a couple of days to see if it worked or not.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (37 hours later)
Dr IF the injection does not improve this nerve pain in the left low buttocks area and groin area . IF she still has pain on lifting her left leg.... generally speaking , what other tests or treatments are available other than another epidural? She has a lefthip MRI scheduled for a week away but could you discuss this with me?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Other treatment options listed below.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Besides hip MRI scheduled, nerve conduction study is necessary to get a correct understanding of your mother's condition.

Treatment possibilities depend on diagnosis, in other words, if there is inflammation of joints ( sacroileitis for example ) antiinflammatory drugs use is the mainstream of treatment, if there is only nerves involvement, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ), surgery ( decompressesive ), etc. are treatment modalities besides epidural injections.

I remain at your disposal about discussing about scheduled MRI results.

Kind regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (19 minutes later)
Dr one other issue....can you describe what a nerve conduction study is.....is it painful?? Mom is 92... has one kidney
Thanks!!!!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It doesn't cause any adverse effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

A nerve conduction study is a procedure that evaluates nerve functionality, it has no adverse effects, lasts few minutes and does not cause any pain.

It gives valuable information when it comes to neuralgic pain causes.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4502 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of A Steroid Injection?

Brief Answer: You should wait a couple of days to see the effects. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. It depends on what wad used during injection, if there was used only a steroid drug, it can take few days to one week to see the effects. If there was used a painkiller too, some immediate effect should be noticed, but this effect in pain subsides in few hours. In conclusion, you should give the epidural injection at least a couple of days to see if it worked or not. Hope you found the answer helpful. Kind regards.