Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection: What to Expect at Home
Your Recovery
During your cervical epidural injection, your doctor injected medicine into the area around the spinal cord in your neck. This is to help with pain, tingling, or numbness in your neck or down your arm.
The steroid medicine in the injection should start to help your pain in 1 to 5 days. Steroids don't always work. When they do work, the pain relief can last for several days to a few months or longer.
Your injection may also have included a numbing medicine that works right away for a short time. Before the steroid starts to work, your neck or arm may be sore for a few days.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.
How can you care for yourself at home?
Activity
- You may want to do less than normal for a few days. But you may also be able to return to your daily routine.
- You may shower if your doctor okays it. Do not take a bath for the first 24 hours, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
Diet
- You can eat your normal diet.
Medicines
- Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
- If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
Ice
- If the site of your injection feels sore or tender, put ice or a cold pack on it for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have trouble breathing.
- You are unable to move an arm or a leg at all.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or worse symptoms in your arms, legs, chest, belly, or buttocks. Symptoms may include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Weakness.
- Pain.
- You lose bladder or bowel control.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- You do not get better as expected.
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
