Spinal stenosis has a way of narrowing more than just your spine – it can narrow your ability to move, focus, and enjoy everyday life. When pressure builds in the spinal canal, it often leads to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness that makes walking or standing feel like a challenge.

For many patients, one of the most effective non-surgical options is a corticosteroid injection – targeted relief that eases inflammation at the source and gives your nerves a break.

At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we offer this treatment as part of our commitment to helping you feel better, move more freely, and get back to doing what you love.

What Are Corticosteroid Injections?

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications. When injected directly into the area surrounding a compressed nerve root (typically the epidural space), they reduce swelling and pressure, helping to ease pain, tingling, and weakness caused by spinal stenosis.

We often combine corticosteroids with a local anesthetic to provide faster, short-term relief while the steroid takes effect. The procedure is done using fluoroscopy (live X-ray guidance), which allows us to place the medication with precision and avoid nearby structures.

How Injections Help Spinal Stenosis Symptoms

Spinal stenosis symptoms are often caused not just by the narrowing of the spinal canal, but by the inflammation that the narrowing creates. This irritation affects the spinal nerves and can lead to:

  • Radiating pain down the legs (sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy)
  • Burning, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs
  • Muscle weakness
  • Difficulty standing or walking for extended periods

Corticosteroid injections reduce the inflammation around the nerve root, which in turn relieves the pressure and helps restore function. For many patients, this translates to improved mobility, reduced reliance on pain medications, and a return to daily activities that once felt out of reach.

What to Expect After the Procedure

The injection itself takes only a few minutes, and most patients go home the same day. Some people feel relief within hours due to the anesthetic component, while the steroid medication typically begins working within 24 to 72 hours. The maximum benefit is usually felt within a week.

While it’s not a cure for spinal stenosis, an epidural steroid injection can provide significant symptom relief, especially when combined with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that may include physical therapy, activity modification, and other conservative treatments.

How Long Does Relief Last?

The duration of relief varies. Some patients experience benefits for a few weeks, while others feel improvement for several months. Pain relief from corticosteroid injections typically lasts between three and six months, although individual results can differ depending on the severity of stenosis, overall health, and lifestyle factors.

For those who respond well, injections may be repeated – but with some limitations to avoid potential side effects.

How Often Can You Get Steroid Injections?

Steroid injections are not meant to be a long-term or frequent solution. Most physicians recommend no more than three to four injections per year, spaced at least six weeks apart. This is to minimize potential risks, such as:

  • Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
  • Elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes
  • Weakened immune response
  • Localized tissue damage

At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we will carefully evaluate each patient’s progress after an injection and weigh the benefits of another round against these risks. If pain returns quickly or doesn’t respond well to the first injection, it may be time to explore alternative strategies.

Success Rates and Patient Outcomes

Corticosteroid injections don’t work for everyone, but they offer meaningful relief for many. Research shows that about 50 to 70 percent of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis experience moderate to significant symptom improvement after an injection. For patients dealing with acute flare-ups or those who aren’t ready for surgery, this option can be an important bridge to better function.

Even when injections don’t eliminate pain completely, they often allow patients to participate more fully in physical therapy, which can, in turn, help strengthen supporting muscles and improve spinal stability.

Comparing Steroid Injections to Other Treatments

Corticosteroids are just one part of the toolkit when it comes to treating spinal stenosis. Here’s how they stack up against other options:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy builds strength, improves posture, and takes pressure off your spine. It works more slowly than injections but often lasts longer. Pairing the two can offer both quick relief and lasting results.

Oral Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants may be used to manage symptoms, but they affect the whole body, not just the targeted area, and can carry more systemic side effects. They’re generally better for short-term use or as a complement to other treatments.

Surgery

Surgical options like laminectomy or spinal fusion are considered when conservative treatments – including injections – don’t provide enough relief. Surgery is typically reserved for patients with severe symptoms or neurological decline. For those who can avoid or delay it, corticosteroid injections may be part of that strategy.

Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine

Some patients explore acupuncture, massage therapy, or other holistic options to manage pain. These treatments may offer comfort and reduce muscle tension, but don’t directly address inflammation in the spinal canal like corticosteroids do.

When Injections Make the Most Sense

Steroid injections are most beneficial for patients who:

  • Have tried physical therapy or medications without enough relief
  • Are experiencing a painful flare-up and need short-term improvement
  • Are not ready or eligible for spinal surgery
  • Want to delay surgery while exploring less invasive options

At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we tailor each treatment plan to the person – not just the diagnosis. Injections may not be right for everyone, but when used thoughtfully and as part of a bigger picture, they can be a key step toward reclaiming comfort and mobility.

Helping You Find the Right Path Forward

Living with spinal stenosis doesn’t mean giving up the things you enjoy. With the right combination of treatment, education, and support, it’s possible to manage symptoms and regain control of your life.

Corticosteroid injections can offer meaningful relief – especially when timed well, administered precisely, and combined with physical therapy and lifestyle changes. They won’t fix stenosis, but they can open the door to movement, comfort, and renewed hope.

If you’re wondering whether a corticosteroid injection is the right next step for your spinal stenosis symptoms, we’re here to help you make a decision you feel good about. Contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine to learn more.