Lumbar Epidural Spinal Injection (LESI)
What is LESI?
A lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) is a common procedure performed at the pain clinic. It involves accessing the epidural space with a needle and injecting medications (usually steroids) into the space. The epidural space is the space just outside of the spinal cord. When steroids are injected into the space, they will calm down inflamed nerves in the area.
What conditions can it treat?
A LESI is mostly used to treat lower back and pain that radiates to the legs. The conditions they treat includes radiculopathy, radiculitis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, post-herpetic neuralgia (complication of shingles), and others. The procedure usually does not require any sedation, but patients are given a local anesthetic to help with discomfort from the needle.