WHAT IS IT?

An injection of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory solution (corticosteroid) is placed near the bottom of the spine, in the epidural space, the space that contains the sac that holds the spinal fluid, which runs from the top of the neck to the tailbone.

WHO IS IT FOR?

This is a common injection for someone who has had lumbar spine surgery.  It is sometimes used for people who have pain in and around the tailbone, especially when sitting or moving from sitting to standing, a condition called coccydinia.  Many times, this pain can be relieved by the injection of local anesthetic and corticosteroid through a caudal epidual steroid injection.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

There is some risk of infection, bleeding and nerve damage.