Epidural Steroid Injections in Dallas–Fort Worth
Image-guided epidural injections that calm inflamed spinal nerves — relief for sciatica, pinched nerves, herniated discs and spinal stenosis without surgery.
Performed in Lewisville by double board-certified interventional pain physicians. Most injections take about 15–20 minutes.
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What Is an Epidural Steroid Injection?
An epidural steroid injection (ESI) delivers a small dose of anti-inflammatory steroid and numbing medicine into the epidural space — the protective layer around the spinal nerves. When a disc bulges, herniates or degenerates, or when the spinal canal narrows, nearby nerve roots become inflamed. That inflammation is what causes the burning, shooting pain of sciatica or the radiating arm pain of a pinched nerve in the neck. An ESI reduces the inflammation directly at the source.
Every ESI at Advanced Pain Institute of Texas is performed under live X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) with contrast dye, so your physician can confirm the medication is reaching the right level and the right side of your spine. Precise placement is a big reason image-guided injections work better than “blind” ones.
Types of Epidural Injections
- Lumbar ESI — the most common, for low back pain that radiates into the buttock or leg (sciatica, lumbar radiculopathy, spinal stenosis).
- Cervical ESI — for neck pain that travels into the shoulder, arm or hand, often from a herniated disc or cervical radiculopathy.
- Thoracic ESI — for mid-back and rib-area nerve pain, including some cases of shingles-related pain.
- Caudal ESI — enters near the tailbone, useful after prior lumbar surgery or when multiple lower levels are involved. Learn more.
- Transforaminal ESI / selective nerve root block — targets one specific nerve root where it exits the spine for highly localized relief. Learn more.
What Conditions Do Epidurals Treat?
ESIs are most effective for pain that radiates from the spine into a limb, which is caused by nerve irritation. Common reasons patients receive them include:
- Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Pain after spine surgery
How Long Does Relief Last?
Relief often begins within two to seven days as the steroid takes effect. Many patients experience several weeks to several months of improvement; for some, a single injection calms an acute flare enough that the body heals and the pain does not return. ESIs work best as part of a plan: the window of relief is the ideal time to strengthen your core and back in physical therapy so improvement lasts. If injections help but relief keeps wearing off, your physician will talk with you about longer-lasting options such as spinal cord stimulation or minimally invasive decompression procedures like MILD and Vertiflex for spinal stenosis.
Related Treatments & Conditions
Who Is a Good Candidate?
An epidural may be right for you if:
- Pain radiates from your back into a leg, or from your neck into an arm
- Imaging shows a herniated disc, stenosis or degenerative changes that match your symptoms
- Several weeks of rest, medication or physical therapy have not been enough
- Pain is keeping you from therapy, work, sleep or activities you enjoy
- You want to avoid or delay spine surgery
If you have diabetes, an active infection, or take blood thinners, let us know — we will plan around those safely. Steroids can temporarily raise blood sugar, so diabetic patients should monitor closely for a few days.
What to Expect
- Before: Plan for a driver if you receive sedation. Wear comfortable clothing.
- During: You lie on your stomach. The skin is numbed, and the needle is guided with fluoroscopy and contrast dye. The injection itself takes a few minutes; the whole visit is usually under an hour.
- After: You may feel numbness or heaviness for a few hours from the anesthetic. Take it easy for the rest of the day; most people resume normal activities the next day.
- Follow-up: We check in to see how much relief you received, which helps decide whether a repeat injection or another approach makes sense.
Meet Our Pain Management Specialists
Dr. John Broadnax
Double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management. Former “Chicago’s Top Docs” nominee. Board of Directors, Illinois Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Now proudly serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community.
Dr. Eric Anderson
Double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management with over two decades of experience. Dr. Anderson’s mission: world-class pain care in an encouraging, educational environment where patients feel empowered to take control of their health.
Our care team also includes Riley Bingham, PA-C (UT Southwestern trained) and Megan Bridges, NP — ensuring comprehensive, attentive care at every visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Epidural Steroid Injections
Most patients feel a brief sting from the numbing medicine and some pressure during the injection. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and light sedation is available if you are anxious.
To limit steroid exposure, most physicians cap epidural injections at a few per year, spaced weeks apart. If you get good relief from the first injection, you may not need another for months. Your physician will recommend a schedule based on your response.
They use the same space around the spinal nerves, but the purpose is different. A labor epidural continuously delivers anesthetic to numb pain during delivery. An epidural steroid injection is a single, quick dose of anti-inflammatory medicine to calm nerve inflammation for weeks or months.
Epidural steroid injections are covered by Medicare and most commercial plans when medically necessary, often with prior authorization and documentation of prior conservative care. Our team handles the paperwork. Call (972) 866-4246 or submit a benefit verification request to check your benefits.
If you receive sedation, you will need a driver. Without sedation, many patients can drive, but we still recommend having someone with you because temporary leg numbness can occur.
New patients from Dallas, Plano, Carrollton and across DFW can usually be seen within the same week. Bring your imaging and insurance card to your first visit. Call (972) 866-4246 to schedule.
Serving Patients Across Dallas–Fort Worth
Most patients need only a short visit for an epidural, and our Lewisville office is an easy drive from much of North Texas.
Advanced Pain Institute of Texas is located at 500 West Main St, Suite 230, Lewisville, TX 75057, inside Medical City of Lewisville Hospital, with free on-site parking.
| From | Approx. drive | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 25–30 min | I-35E North |
| Plano | 30–35 min | SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway) West to I-35E South |
| Carrollton | 15–20 min | I-35E North |
| Southlake | 25–30 min | SH 114 East to I-35E North |
| Frisco | 25–30 min | SH 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway) West to I-35E South |
| Denton | 20–25 min | I-35E South |
| Flower Mound | 10–15 min | FM 1171 East (becomes Main St) |
| The Colony | 10–15 min | SH 121 to I-35E North |
Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Contact Us
Phone: (972) 866-4246
Fax: (972) 866-4249
Email: contact@apitexas.com
Request an Appointment
Ready to take the first step toward lasting pain relief? Fill out the form below or call us directly at (972) 866-4246. Our team will contact you within one business day to schedule your consultation.