See how it is done
When a disc herniation or bony narrowing in the neck presses on a nerve root, the pain doesn’t stay in the neck — it travels down the shoulder and arm, sometimes with pins-and-needles, numbness, or weakness in the hand. This is cervical radiculopathy, and a cervical epidural injection is one of the most effective ways to calm it without surgery.
Under live X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance, we place a small dose of long-acting corticosteroid into the epidural space, right where the inflamed nerve root leaves the spine. The fluoroscopy and contrast steps confirm exact placement before any medication is given — important in the neck, where precision matters most.
Most patients feel the arm pain ease within a week, with relief commonly lasting 4 to 12 weeks. That window is often enough for the irritated nerve to settle on its own, and we typically pair the injection with physiotherapy to restore neck movement and prevent recurrence.
What this treats
- cervical radiculopathy
- cervical disc herniation
- cervical spinal stenosis
- pinched neck nerve
Conditions this treats
Common diagnoses we use this procedure for. Tap one to read more.
Before, during, and after — what to do
Before your appointment
Eat a normal meal before your appointment — there is no fasting required for most injections. Take your usual medications unless we have specifically asked you not to. If you take a blood thinner (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, etc.), tell us in advance — we may need to adjust the timing. Bring your OHIP card and any imaging reports we asked for.
On the day
Wear loose, comfortable clothing — easy to roll up sleeves or pant legs, easy to lie face-down on the table. Plan to be at the clinic about 45 minutes total. You can drive yourself unless we told you otherwise. If you are anxious about the procedure, tell us — we will walk you through every step.
After the procedure
You may feel some soreness at the injection site for 1–3 days. Ice helps; so does Tylenol or ibuprofen if you can take it. Avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for 24 hours, then resume normal activity as comfort allows. The therapeutic effect of the injection usually starts within a few days and reaches full strength by 2 weeks.
When to call us: Call us right away — or go to the nearest emergency department — if you develop a high fever, severe new pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, weakness in a limb, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These are rare but worth knowing.
What happens on the day
We use live fluoroscopy to see exactly where the needle is going. The procedure itself takes about 20 minutes, plus a little time to get you positioned and a short rest afterwards. Most people feel relief lasting 4–12 weeks.