Any risks for pre-surgery epidural injection?

I have had more epidurals and nerve ablations than I can count. Never had any issues. My area of problem is L5-S1. Even though your issue is in a slightly different location, I would not be too concerned about the procedure.

I just had 2 spinal taps. I wouldn't worry.

This is both a question and information. Isn’t an epidural an injection not a spinal tap?
I have had numerous epidural injections by different “experts” and less than half relieved my pain temporarily. From my experience, if you have several areas of nerve pain at different levels of the vertebra & facets you may not get the results you want.

Spinal taps go into the cerebral spinal space while epidurals go in the epidural space. Between my bad neck and bad lower back, like heisenberg34 said, I too have had numerous epidural steroid injections with some relief, never an untoward effect.

@rono2410 There are risks to epidural injections. I had a cervical injection and the doctor explained risks such paralysis if it is injected in the wrong place. I did have an adverse reaction to my injection. It caused stabbing burning electric pain into my hand that was very intense and that continued for 6 weeks. I had to lay down and try not to move because movement triggered a stabbing pain. If you search on Connect for “adhesive arachnoiditis” you’ll find patients talking about chronic inflammation that causes a lot of pain. I believe I had an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the injection. I chose not to do further injections.

Don’t do it. Epidurals are very dangerous. I got adhesive Arachnoiditis from one 2 yrs ago. They are not safe. I’m in alot of pain. It ruined my life.

Hi Meri! May I ask the name of the hospital or clinic you had your epidural administered?

It was at a facility with the Dr from SCOI. Stands for southern Calif ortho institute. Had it done with a Dr from there at a surgical center locally. She lost her job. Supposedly she retired , don’t believe that as when I looked up her info she had a lawsuit against her.

I’m not a doctor, but I’ve had epidurals before without any issues. I’ve also had two Lumbar Spine Laminectomies and Fusions covering L2-S1. My neurosurgeon already knew what nerves were being impinged, though, before I had my epidurals. He relied on imaging, physical exams and my symptoms to identify the areas of impingement. The epidural was administered to cover only these areas. He was right every time. Bottom-line is that, personally, I’d seek a second opinion with a highly-rated neurosurgeon, that operates on the Spine, before I allowed a doctor to use an epidural to determine what vertebrae were impinging my nerves. That being said, the biggest risks of epidurals to my knowledge are infections (e.g. meningitis) and blood clots, though the likelihood of experiencing these types of issues is quit small.

Good luck with whatever path you take! I know just how tough nerve impingements can be and the extent to which they can wreak havoc on your physical functioning!

Thanks very much for your response!