A cervical epidural steroid injection may be performed to relieve pain associated with inflammation around the nerves in the neck. A cervical epidural injection may be used to treat the symptoms from a variety of conditions that may irritate the cervical nerve roots. For example, a cervical herniated disc may impinge on a nerve root, a degenerated disc may cause local inflammation, cervical osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis may reduce the space for the nerves, resulting in inflammation and irritation to the nerves. A cortisone steroid solution is injected into the epidural space. The steroid is an anti-inflammatory medication. The goal is to alleviate the local inflammation, which in turn should decrease the associated nerve pain.
A cervical epidural injection is often done with the goal of providing enough pain relief so that the patient can progress with a rehabilitation program.