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How Long Does Epidural Steroid Injection In Lumbar Area Remain In The System?
Question: How long does an Epidural Steroid injection in Lumbar area take to be excreted out of system (not the effects of the Corticosteroid absorbed into system, but the injection material into the epidural space)? If I have back surgery in 2 weeks after epidural, any increased risk for arachnoiditus due to this material still in the epidural space if any breach to dura/subarachnid?
Brief Answer:
Steroids stay approximately two weeks .
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. Steroids stay approximately two weeks in epidural space after injection.
Arachnoiditis is a very rare complication of accidental intrathecal injection of steroids. If the dura was opened during surgery, there is a slight possibility that any amount of steroid in epidural space makes contact with arachnoidal layer and cause arachnoiditis.
So surgery should be postponed beyond three weeks.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Steroids stay approximately two weeks .
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. Steroids stay approximately two weeks in epidural space after injection.
Arachnoiditis is a very rare complication of accidental intrathecal injection of steroids. If the dura was opened during surgery, there is a slight possibility that any amount of steroid in epidural space makes contact with arachnoidal layer and cause arachnoiditis.
So surgery should be postponed beyond three weeks.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you so much for that reply....The epidural was administered on 11/14, and my surgery is scheduled my my Ortho Dr on 12/3/14, so 19 days......would you recommend postponing based on the info you have provided?
Brief Answer:
I think there's no need for postponing.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for coming back.
In my opinion approximately three weeks after ESI is safe to undergo surgery.
Beyond two weeks after ESI, there shouldn't be any steroid left in epidural space. So I don't think there's any need for postponement of surgery.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
I think there's no need for postponing.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for coming back.
In my opinion approximately three weeks after ESI is safe to undergo surgery.
Beyond two weeks after ESI, there shouldn't be any steroid left in epidural space. So I don't think there's any need for postponement of surgery.
Hope this helps. If you have further questions feel free to ask.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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