While epidural steroid injections are common ways to give patients back and leg pain relief, it is possible to suffer an adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections. While this is rare, anyone wanted to go this route of pain relief need to know about each possible adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections.

The first possible adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections is the possibility of a dural puncture. This adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections occurs when the needle goes into slightly too far and punctures the membrane around the spinal fluid. When this happens, the patient might experience a spinal headache. There is a treatment to help alleviate the spinal headache if it lasts for more than two days.

The next possible adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections is a short term effect. Before the injection is given, there is a local anesthetic applied to the injection area. Sometimes, an adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections is that the local anesthetic spreads to local nerves and causes weakness and numbing.

There is another group of adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections that are also very rare but that need to get medical attention is important if these occur. People might experience numbness or weakness. Others might experience a completely different adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections; loss of control of bladder or bowels could also happen.

The final possible adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections occurs in people with specific characteristics. For example, people with diabetes might have elevated blood sugar for a short time after the injection. People who easily retain water might also do so for a few weeks after the injection.

There are also a few things to keep in mind that have to do with getting any type of injection. This adverse reaction of epidural steroid injections includes allergic reactions, bacterial infections and bleeding.