Patients with pain the back, neck, arms or legs can benefit from epidural steroid injections. Specifically, the following diagnosis have been proven to respond well to Epidural Steroid Injections • Disc Herniation – In between the vertebrae in our spine, there are gel-like discs that absorb the shock and pressures our spine encounters on a daily basis. If you receive too much impact, like in a fall, car accident, lifting heavy or other major injury, it may cause the disc to slip out, or herniate, out of place. When it protrudes out, it can hit the nerves that run alongside the spine, which can cause pain in the back, neck or extremities. • Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) – DDD is a common condition that comes with age. Again , Degenerative Disc Disease is a natural process of aging. With this process, the disc loses its elasticity and hydration which can cause the disc space to narrow and the disc to tear. This can also be a significant factor in back and neck pain. • Spinal Stenosis – Arthritis and other conditions that cause abnormal bony formations and ligament thickening can cause narrowing of the spinal canal where spinal nerves run up and down the spine. This is called spinal stenosis or spinal narrowin. The narrowing within the vertebrae irritates the spinal nerves, causing significant neck, back and/or leg pain. Some people are predisposed to having spinal stenosis. Stenosis is another word for Narrowing. • Spondylolysis – When one of the spinal vertebrae slips forward from an injury or fracture, it can compress nerve roots and cause pain. Dr Morchower uses xray and MRI imaging to detmine the extent of the vertebral slipping and develop a treatment plan based on the patient history, imaging and physical exam. • Sciatica – The low back (lumbar and sacral) nerves that exit the spine come together to form a the largest nerve in the body. This nerve serves the legs and is called The Sciatic Nerve. When muscles that surround the low back are tight or injured or when you develop a slipped or bulging disc, it can compress the nerve and cause pain in the back and down the entire leg. Similar problem can develop in the neck and shoot pain down one or both arms. Epidural steroid injections are also helpful in determining whether or not an individual will be a good candidate for surgical intervention. This is one reason we advise that patients consult with Dr. Morchower prior to making a decision to proceed with neck or low back surgery. ESI can also aid in helping individuals through intensive rehabilitation exercises that would otherwise be impossible if pain was not controlled.