Minimally invasive procedure in Croatia: Epidural steroid infiltration – ESI

ESI is a certified method of treating radicular pain. The success of ESI has been proven by many controlled case studies, including meta-analysis.

The initial treatment of any lumboishialgy is well known and consists of resting, pain medication, anti inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.

This regime is carried out through a period of six weeks, but physical therapy is indicated as soon as the pain syndrome regresses.
If the pain is severe and constant, ESI can lead to pain relief, reduction of localized nerve inflammation and make a positive impact on the beginning of physical therapy.

This method is safe, reliable and practically painless and shows excellent results in most patients.

The optimal way of performing ESI is under aseptic conditions with the guidance of the RTG device and with the prior insertion of contrast medium to precisely determine the location where the medicine is to be injected.

Depending on the anatomy of the patient and the location of the compression, the surgeon will decide on caudal, interlaminar or transforaminal approach.

After ESI, regular check-ups are very important in order to adequately assess the effect of the treatment and schedule the beginning of physical therapy.