Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection

What Is a Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection?

A thoracic epidural steroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space of the upper to middle back. This targeted treatment reduces swelling and irritation around spinal nerves, offering relief from chronic pain. At The Pain Experts of Arizona, our pain specialists perform this outpatient procedure at our pain clinics in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Mesa.

How the Spinal Cord and Epidural Space Relate to Pain

Your spinal cord carries messages between your brain and body, running from the base of your skull to your lower back. The thoracic spine, which includes 12 vertebrae, protects the spinal cord in the upper and middle back. Between these bones sit intervertebral discs that absorb shock. The epidural space surrounds the spinal cord and houses fat, blood vessels, and nerve roots. When inflammation affects this space, it can lead to pain that radiates throughout the body.

Why Pain Specialists Recommend This Injection

Pain doctors often recommend thoracic epidural steroid injections when other treatments—such as medication, physical therapy, or rest—fail to provide relief. Inflammation or compression of spinal nerves may cause sharp, aching, or radiating pain. This injection targets that inflammation, offering significant relief.

Common conditions that respond well to this treatment include:

• Herniated discs

• Degenerative disc disease

• Spinal stenosis

• Osteoarthritis

• Shingles-related nerve pain

• Radiculopathy and radiculitis

• Spondylosis

In some cases, pain specialists use this procedure to confirm the source of pain. If the injection relieves symptoms immediately, it confirms that inflamed nerves are the underlying issue.

Benefits of Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections

Many patients at our Arizona pain clinics choose this procedure because it delivers several key advantages:

• Reduces inflammation and pain in the thoracic spine

• Improves mobility and physical function

• Avoids the risks of surgery

• Requires only a short recovery period

• Helps identify the exact source of pain

Patients appreciate that this option allows them to return to their daily routines quickly—often by the next day.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Our pain doctors at The Pain Experts of Arizona walk every patient through the process. First, you’ll lie face-down or on your side on a specialized procedure table. After sterilizing the skin, your provider applies a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.

Next, using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray) or CT guidance, your pain specialist inserts a thin needle into the epidural space. They inject a contrast dye to confirm correct placement, followed by a mixture of corticosteroid and anesthetic medication.

You may feel slight pressure during the injection, but most patients tolerate it well. The procedure usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, followed by a short monitoring period before discharge.

What Happens After the Injection

After leaving the clinic, you should rest for the remainder of the day. Even though you can return to most regular activities the following day, your pain specialist will give you personalized recovery instructions. Be sure to arrange for someone else to drive you home from the clinic.

Some patients experience a temporary increase in back pain at the injection site within the first 48 to 72 hours. This side effect is normal and should subside soon. You can ease the discomfort with ice packs or over-the-counter pain relief.

Typically, patients begin feeling relief within a few days. Some notice improvements right away, while others need a week or more. If pain persists after two weeks or worsens, contact your pain doctor promptly for further evaluation.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

While complications are rare, every medical procedure carries some level of risk. At The Pain Experts of Arizona, our pain clinics prioritize safety and careful evaluation before recommending injections. However, you should be aware of possible side effects, including:

• Temporary facial flushing

• Elevated blood sugar

• Insomnia or mood changes

• Water retention or weight gain

• Headaches from spinal fluid leakage

• Infection or bleeding

• Allergic reaction to contrast dye or medication

• Nerve damage (extremely rare)

Major complications occur in less than 1% of cases. If you have health conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or allergies to steroids or anesthetics, inform your provider during the consultation. This helps us minimize risk and tailor the treatment to your needs.

Who Should Consider This Treatment?

If you suffer from ongoing thoracic spine pain and have tried other therapies without success, this injection could provide the breakthrough you need. You may be a good candidate if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with a condition like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis

• Other treatments have not offered sufficient relief

• You are not currently dealing with infection or bleeding problems

• You want to avoid invasive surgery

During your consultation, your pain specialist will carefully review your medical history and symptoms to determine if this treatment is appropriate.

Schedule a Consultation with an Arizona Pain Specialist Today

If you’re having pain-related difficulty, The Pain Experts of Arizona can help. Our award-winning pain doctors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Mesa specialize in vertebral augmentation and other advanced pain management treatments to restore function and improve your quality of life.

Call us today at 480-950-9393 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward feeling better.

The Pain Experts of Arizona – Your Partners in Pain Relief and Recovery.

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