What is an Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)?

An Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive procedure that delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into the epidural space of the spine to reduce nerve irritation and relieve pain. It’s commonly used for conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and chronic back or neck pain.

Who needs an Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)?

An ESI is often recommended for patients suffering from chronic back, neck, or leg pain caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica — particularly when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief.

Do you work with personal injury attorneys on a lien basis?

Yes. GTOA provides lien-based care, enabling clients to receive treatment without upfront costs. Our medical and administrative teams coordinate directly with attorneys to provide timely documentation, transparent billing, and medico-legal compliance.

How long does pain relief last after an ESI?

Pain relief can last from several weeks to several months depending on the patient’s condition and response to treatment. Repeat injections may be considered as part of a structured pain management plan.

In which cities do you provide epidural steroid injection services?

GTOA offers epidural steroid injection services in Arlington, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont. Our specialists support both patients and attorneys across these Texas regions.

Do you treat both referred and non-referred patients?

Yes. We welcome patients referred by attorneys as well as individuals seeking direct access to advanced pain management care.

Expert Epidural Steroid Injections in Texas

Whether you are a patient seeking a pain injection for back pain to reclaim your life, or an attorney needing precise documentation for a personal injury claim, Greater Texas Orthopedic Associates (GTOA) delivers. Our board-certified specialists provide targeted epidural steroid injections including cervical epidural injections and lumbar treatments designed to reduce inflammation and restore mobility after an accident.

✅ Targeted Relief: Minimally invasive steroid injections for back pain and sciatica.

✅ Forensic Expertise: Comprehensive support for Personal Injury cases and LOP acceptance.

✅ State-of-the-Art Imaging: All epidural steroid injections for back pain are performed under precise fluoroscopic guidance.

Bridging Clinical Excellence and Litigation Support

we understand that a successful personal injury claim relies on more than just treatment it requires objective, irrefutable medical evidence. Our interventional pain management team specializes in providing epidural steroid injections that serve as both a therapeutic solution for the patient and a critical diagnostic milestone for the legal team.

Objective Medical Documentation

Every epidural steroid injection for back pain performed at our facilities is documented with surgical precision. We provide detailed operative reports and clinical notes that clearly correlate the injury to the incident, strengthening your client's demand package.

Expedited Scheduling & LOP Acceptance

Time is of the essence in litigation. We offer priority scheduling for personal injury victims and work seamlessly on a Letter of Protection (LOP) basis, ensuring no delay in necessary medical interventions.

Cervical & Lumbar Specialization

Whether the case involves complex whiplash requiring a cervical epidural injection or lower back trauma, our board-certified surgeons provide the high-tier care that insurance adjusters and juries respect.

Clear Causation Analysis

Our specialists are experts at clarifying the "Why" and "How." We assist attorneys by providing professional insights into how the spinal pathology necessitates specific treatments like steroid injections for back pain.

Understanding Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)

If chronic pain or a sudden injury is preventing you from enjoying life, an epidural steroid injection might be the non-surgical solution you need. This procedure delivers powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the source of your pain the epidural space surrounding your spinal nerves providing rapid and long-lasting relief.

What Conditions Does an ESI Treat?

We use targeted injections to address various spinal pathologies, often caused by car accidents or sports injuries:

✅ Herniated or Bulging Discs: Reducing pressure on irritated nerves.

✅ Sciatica: Relieving the radiating pain that travels down the leg.

✅ Spinal Stenosis: Managing inflammation caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal.

✅ Whiplash & Neck Trauma: Utilizing a cervical epidural injection to treat severe neck and shoulder pain.

Targeted Injections for Your Specific Injury

Spinal pain is rarely “one size fits all.” Depending on the location of your injury whether from a rear-end collision or a slip-and-fall our specialists perform targeted epidural steroid injections to deliver relief exactly where it’s needed.

1. Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (Neck & Upper Extremities)

The Focus: Targeted at the seven vertebrae in the neck.
Common Symptoms: Severe neck pain, radiating shoulder pain, or numbness in the arms and hands.
The Goal: A cervical epidural injection is highly effective for patients suffering from whiplash or herniated discs in the upper spine, common in personal injury cases.

2. Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection (Mid-Back & Ribs)

The Focus: Targeted at the middle section of the spine (T1-T12).
Common Symptoms: Chronic mid-back pain or pain that radiates along the rib cage.
The Goal: To reduce inflammation in the thoracic nerves, restoring the ability to sit, stand, and move without sharp, restrictive pain.

3. Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection (Lower Back & Legs)

The Focus: Targeted at the lower back (L1-L5).
Common Symptoms: Debilitating lower back pain, sciatica, or “electric” shooting pains down the legs.
The Goal: As the most common pain injection for back pain, the lumbar ESI is a game-changer for restoring mobility and preventing the need for invasive spinal surgery.

4. Caudal Epidural Injection (Tailbone & Sacrum)

The Focus: Administered through the sacral hiatus at the base of the spine.
The Goal: Provides a broader coverage of the lower spinal nerves, often used when multiple levels of the lower back are affected by trauma.

Benefits of ESI Therapy

The primary goal of an epidural steroid injection is simple: to reduce your pain and increase your function without the need for invasive surgery. For many of our patients, especially those recovering from trauma, this treatment is the turning point in their recovery journey.

Avoid or Delay Surgery

By effectively managing inflammation with a steroid injection for back pain, many patients can avoid the risks and long recovery times associated with spinal surgery.

Immediate & Long-Term Relief

While the local anesthetic provides rapid comfort, the corticosteroid works over the following days to provide sustained relief from debilitating symptoms.

Enhanced Physical Therapy

Reducing pain allows patients to engage more effectively in physical therapy, which is crucial for long-term spinal health and strength.

Minimally Invasive

Performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return to the comfort of your home the same day.

Trusted Spine & Pain Specialists

At GTOA, your care is managed by elite, board-certified physicians who are recognized leaders in interventional pain management and orthopedic surgery. Our specialists don’t just treat symptoms; they utilize advanced diagnostics and precision-guided epidural steroid injections to address the root cause of your pain. When you choose GTOA, you are choosing years of surgical excellence and a commitment to patient-first recovery.

FAQs About Epidural Steroid Injections

1. How long does the pain relief from an epidural steroid injection last?

The duration of relief varies by patient and the severity of the injury. Typically, an epidural steroid injection for back pain can provide relief lasting from several weeks to several months. When used as part of a comprehensive recovery plan, it allows patients to progress in physical therapy and avoid more invasive procedures.

2. Are epidural steroid injections safe for car accident victims?

Yes. we specialize in treating trauma-related injuries. Every pain injection for back pain is performed by board-certified specialists using real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray guidance) to ensure maximum safety and precision. We also provide the necessary medical-legal documentation to ensure the treatment is correctly recorded for your personal injury claim.

3. In which Texas cities does GTOA have medical facilities?

To ensure our patients and legal partners have easy access to elite spinal care, GTOA operates state-of-the-art clinics across Texas. You can find our specialists and receive epidural steroid injections in the following cities:

Houston, Beaumont, Dallas, Arlington, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. All our locations are fully equipped to handle personal injury cases and work on a Letter of Protection (LOP) basis.

4. Can a cervical epidural injection help with whiplash symptoms?

Absolutely. A cervical epidural injection is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for radiating neck pain, headaches, and arm numbness caused by whiplash or herniated discs in the upper spine. It reduces nerve inflammation quickly, helping you return to daily activities.

5. Does GTOA work with attorneys on personal injury cases?

Yes, GTOA is a leading provider of medical-legal services in Texas. We understand the complexities of litigation and provide expedited scheduling, LOP acceptance, and detailed medical reports that correlate the injury to the accident, which is vital for both the patient’s health and the attorney’s case.