Epidural Injections | Conditions & Treatments

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js" lang="en">  <head> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href=/assets/ucsf/main.css?v=40182074ecb56dad04debd94fedfc468 />  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/consent/15542477-8150-45a3-9953-e94fa799e80a/OtAutoBlock.js" ></script> <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="15542477-8150-45a3-9953-e94fa799e80a" ></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { // Check if banner div is available if (document.getElementById('onetrust-banner-sdk')) { // Get the buttons and container var acceptBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-accept-btn-handler"); var declineBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-reject-all-handler"); var cookieSettingsBtn = document.getElementById("onetrust-pc-btn-handler"); var btnContainer = document.getElementById("onetrust-button-group"); // Set the order you want below... btnContainer.append(acceptBtn, cookieSettingsBtn, declineBtn) } } </script>   <script src="https://datalayer.ucsfhealth.org/ucsf-data-layer.js" defer></script>  <script src="https://datalayer.ucsfhealth.org/ucsfhealth-marketing-data-layer.js" defer></script>  <script type="text/plain" class="optanon-category-C0007" src="https://assets.adobedtm.com/db5f13cb240b/b1130ce1ceae/launch-db8f55f3e131.min.js" defer></script> <title>Epidural Injections | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Health</title> <link href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/header/favicon-32x32.png?rev=e809a21b00b748a3abf7a90f0667e530" rel="shortcut icon" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/epidural-injections" /> <meta content="Conditions & Treatments" name="mainNavName" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1162986667203299" /><meta property="og:description" content="Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy/sciatica. " /><meta property="og:type" content="article" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="ucsfhealth.org" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/epidural-injections-2x.jpg?rev=a125ab127c04491f82a463a3540421bc" /><meta property="og:title" content="Epidural Injections" /><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/epidural-injections" /> <meta name="description" content="Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy/sciatica. " /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@UCSFHospitals" /><meta property="twitter:image" content="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/epidural-injections-2x.jpg?rev=a125ab127c04491f82a463a3540421bc" /><meta property="twitter:description" content="Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy/sciatica. " /><meta property="twitter:creator" content="@UCSFHospitals" /><meta property="twitter:title" content="Epidural Injections" /><meta property="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/> <link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json" /> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Article","description":"Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy/sciatica. ","image":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/epidural-injections-2x.jpg?rev=a125ab127c04491f82a463a3540421bc","url":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/epidural-injections","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UCSF Health"},"dateCreated":"2019-01-27T00:10:36+00:00","dateModified":"2020-10-07T07:33:21+00:00","headline":"Epidural Injections","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UCSF Health","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.ucsfhealth.org/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/ezgifcom-gif-maker.png?rev=b49aee14cf934fb086632358c341cf97"}},"articleBody":"Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy, also known as sciatica. The procedure may also be used to treat a variety of painful conditions affecting the spine, trunk and limbs.","articleSection":"Treatment"} </script> </head> <body class="default-device bodyclass"> <a href="#content" class="skip-to-content">Skip to Main Content</a> <div id="wrapper">  <header> <div id="header" class="container-fluid"> <div class="component rich-text paragraph1 ie-warning-banner"> <div class="component-content"> <p> Looks like you’re visiting UCSF Health on Internet Explorer. For the best experience, try <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/chrome/" target="_blank">Chrome </a>or <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/" target="_blank">Firefox</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="component"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="component"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="nav-search-overlay"> <div class="search-content"> <div class="search-header"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/logos/logo.png?h=76&iar=0&w=626&rev=d583395ce9c04ec6a83dff0c67ef2e4c&hash=661B5B6BDD2F563F400E662FE64AFB1B" alt="UCSF Health" width="626" height="76" /> <div class="search-close"></div> </div> <div class="search-form-wrapper"> <form data-autocomplete="/ucsfapi/search/getsuggestions" class="search-form display1" action="/search"> <div> <input aria-label="search text" type="text" name="searchterms" placeholder="What can we help you find?" autocomplete="off" /> <button aria-label="search" type="submit" class="icon-ui-search"></button> </div> </form> <div class="popular-searches autocomplete-results font-larger"> <div class="eyebrow">Popular Searches</div> <form action="/search"> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value="Find a Doctor">Find a Doctor</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Refer a Patient"> Refer a Patient</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Clinics"> Clinics</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Conditions"> Conditions</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Treatments"> Treatments</button> <button class="paragraph1" name="searchterms" value=" Locations & Directions"> Locations & Directions</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="nav-wrapper"> <div class="top-nav-wrapper"> <div class="top-nav"> <div class="title"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" title="University of California San Francisco" href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank">University of California San Francisco</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="main-nav-wrapper"> <div class="main-nav container"> <input type="checkbox" id="mobile_nav_toggle" class="mobile-nav-check" aria-label="mobile_nav_toggle" /> <label class="mobile-nav-toggle" for="mobile_nav_toggle" aria-label="mobile_nav_toggle_label"> <div></div> </label> <div class="logo"> <a title="UCSF Home" href="/"><img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/ezgifcom-gif-maker.png?h=27&iar=0&w=150&rev=b49aee14cf934fb086632358c341cf97&hash=1AC27DE6EDF5C0B6D348A6BD0A43F39F" alt="" width="150" height="27" /></a> </div> <span aria-label="search" class="nav-search "><span class="icon-ui-search"></span></span> <div class="menu-content-wrapper"> <ul class="menu"> <li data-main-nav-name="Conditions & Treatments"> <a>Conditions & Treatments</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Conditions & Treatments</a> <div> <a href="/treatments/responsive-neurostimulation" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/responsive-neurostimulation-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=7bc0bac0377344428084efa41ab4e936&hash=A66A813384EF7C69793C8691B939DA7C" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">EPILEPSY BREAKTHROUGH</span> <div class="paragraph1"> <p><span>Stopping Seizures Before They Start</span></p> </div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/conditions">Find Conditions</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/treatments">Find Treatments</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu" target="_blank">Clinical Trials</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/education">Patient Education</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/medical-tests">Medical Tests</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Doctors"> <a>Doctors</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Doctors</a> <div> <a href="/doctor-stories/jasleen-kukreja" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/jasleen-kukreja-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=4c99176bf937490b84533ea4639c34a3&hash=A0AE58BF1530A6B90620551336B15D91" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">MEET OUR DOCTORS</span> <div class="paragraph1">Dr. Jasleen Kukreja and the Life-Saving Gift of Breath</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/find-a-doctor">Find a Doctor</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/doctor-stories">Doctor Stories</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/second-opinion">Get a Second Opinion</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Clinics & Locations"> <a>Clinics & Locations</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Clinics & Locations</a> <div> <a href="/lp/precision-cancer-medicine-building" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/pcmb-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=22258558633e46a99e3c385cbd9a55c5&hash=05AAC46BF10ED201FACE98AB601B0F90" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">BAKAR PRECISION CANCER MEDICINE BUILDING</span> <div class="paragraph1">Care, Convenience and Support at New Cancer Facility</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/clinics">Find a Clinic</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/locations">Locations & Directions</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/list-of-clinics/urgent-care">Urgent Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/clinics/emergency-department">Emergency Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-affiliates">Partners & Affiliates</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/" target="_blank">UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Patients & Visitors"> <a>Patients & Visitors</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Patients & Visitors</a> <div> <a href="/your-hospital-stay/10-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-ucsf-doctor-appointment" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/10-ways-to-get-the-most-from-doctor-visit-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=1199bec48a1f436e89d93f92a605fdae&hash=37D3E3AF37E3D449EC8779910E4D3D0A" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">KNOW BEFORE YOU GO</span> <div class="paragraph1"> 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor’s Visit</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/your-hospital-stay">Your Hospital Stay</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/for-visitors">For Visitors</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services/international-services">International Services</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/education/self-care-for-caregivers">For Caregivers</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services">Support, Services & Groups</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/billing-and-insurance">Billing & Insurance</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/billing-and-insurance/help-paying-your-bill">Help Paying Your Bill</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/pricing-transparency">Pricing Transparency</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-340b-story">340B Drug Pricing Program</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/medical-records">Medical Records</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/services/patient-relations">Patient Relations</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li data-main-nav-name="Why Choose Us?"> <a>Why Choose Us?</a> <div class="sub-nav container"> <a href="#" class="sub-nav-close">Why Choose Us?</a> <div> <a href="" target="_self"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/navigation/usnews-376x188-2x.jpg?h=376&iar=0&w=752&rev=ceea5c834962474892a11e0877a76c60&hash=5FDAA3936F2E054CC1408DDD1B92EB2B" alt="" width="752" height="376" /> <span class="eyebrow">U.S. News Best Hospital Rankings</span> <div class="paragraph1">UCSF Health Ranked Among Nation's Top 10 Hospitals</div> </a> </div> <div class="meta-links"> <div class="component-content"> <ul class="use-arrow-icon"> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-mission">Our Mission</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a title="Quality of Patient Care" href="/about/quality-of-patient-care">Quality of Patient Care</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/patient-stories">Patient Stories</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/diversity-at-ucsf-health">Embracing Diversity</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="/about/our-leadership">Our Leadership</a></p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="top-menu"> <li><a href="/refer-a-patient">Refer a Patient</a></li> <li><a href="/mychart">MyChart</a></li> <li><a href="/request-an-appointment">Request Appointment</a></li> <li><a href="/second-opinion">Get a Second Opinion</a></li> <li><a class="call-us">Call us: (888) 689-8273</a></li> </ul> <div class="mobile-nav-footer"> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" title="University of California San Francisco" href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank">University of California San Francisco</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header>   <main> <div id="content" class="container"> <div class="component article-hero basic-hero"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="hero-image"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/epidural-injections-2x.jpg?h=1112&iar=0&w=2880&rev=a125ab127c04491f82a463a3540421bc&hash=754311BB87BC9EAA0B9ECC42B3A9AF85" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> </div> <div class="hero-content"> <div class="eyebrow hero-breadcrumb"> <div class="component ucsf-breadcrumb"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow article-breadcrumb"> <a href="/treatments">Treatments A-Z </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hero-badge-hero"> </div> <h1 class="hero-title display1"> Epidural Injections </h1> </div> </div> </div><div class="component share-print-email container clinic-share"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="share-component"> <a aria-label="Print Page" href="#" rel="nofollow" class="icon-ui-print" title="Print"></a> <a aria-label="Share Page" data-email-body="Thought you might want to see this:" class="icon-ui-share" data-email-body="Thought you might want to see this:" data-email-subject="Take a look at this link from UCSF"></a> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> </div><div class="component article-intro column-layout col-2-66-33 container"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="article-content left-col"> <div class="font-larger article-text rich-text"> <p>Epidural injections are most often used to treat low back pain, chronic neck pain and lower and upper extremity pain caused by radiculopathy, also known as sciatica. The procedure may also be used to treat a variety of painful conditions affecting the spine, trunk and limbs.</p> </div> </div> <div class="article-info right-col"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component content container"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="page-content"> <div class="component column-layout col-2-66-33 col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="left-col"> <div class="component rich-text paragraph1 col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <p>The degree of pain relief delivered by epidural injections depends on the patient and condition. In some cases, injections significantly reduce pain, improving the patient鈥檚 underlying condition, and pain never returns.</p> <p>When injections are used regularly for pain management, in most cases, the patient must experience a 50 percent improvement for at least one to two months in order to repeat the injections every three months. Sometimes patients do not get this degree or duration of pain relief, even after one to three injections. In these cases, injections are stopped.</p> <p>Epidural injections may also be called epidural steroid injection, interlaminar epidural steroid injection, transforaminal epidural steroid injection or selective nerve root block, depending on the technique and target.</p> <h2>Preparation</h2><ul><li>Please arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure, as you will not be able to drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after the procedure.</li><li>Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure, except for a small amount of water if needed to take medications on the day of the procedure. </li><li>If you have diabetes and use insulin, you must adjust the dosage of insulin the day of the procedure. Consult the doctor who manages your insulin or diabetes medication for any necessary adjustments. Bring your diabetes medication with you so you can take it after the procedure. </li><li>If you take any blood thinning medications or antiplatelet medications, these must be stopped with the permission of your doctor who manages these medications.</li></ul><h2>Procedure</h2><p>During the procedure, you will lie on your stomach. Your doctor will numb a small area of skin around the injection site with an anesthetic. At this point, you may feel a small amount of burning or stinging. Sedation is typically not used during epidural injections. </p> <p>Your doctor will then use X-ray guidance to direct a special needle to the targeted area and administer steroids. You may feel a small amount of back, neck, arm or leg pressure. If so, your doctor will administer the medication more slowly so you remain comfortable. Afterward, the needle is removed and the skin cleaned and bandaged. </p> <p>Your entire appointment will take approximately one hour, but the procedure itself takes about 20 minutes.</p> <h2>Recovery</h2><p>After the procedure, you may experience soreness in the targeted area for a few days. In some cases, the usual pain you experience may increase, as it can take three to seven days for the injections to take effect. </p> <p>We recommend that you rest the day of the procedure, but you may resume regular activities the following day.</p> <p>Rare complications include infection, bleeding and nerve damage.</p> </div> </div> <div class="component disclaimer col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="field-ucsf-health-text"><p><em>UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.</em></p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="right-col"> <div class="component clinic-cards cards-component col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content twoOrLess"> <div> <h2 class="heading1 title-anchor"> Clinics we work with </h2> <div class="view-all"> </div> </div> <div class="cards"> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/clinics/center-for-pain-medicine" target="_self" class="phantom-link" title="Center for Pain Medicine"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/clinic/street/2255-post-street-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=21a73a74ba0e4570a802d48e3e5253af&hash=EF21DC41069993C9DC3F28AD0FCB044C" alt="" width="2880" height="1112"/> <div class="field-icon"> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/520 Illinois St.+San Francisco+CA+94158" target="_blank"> <span class="icon-ui-location"></span> </a> </div> <p class="font-larger"> Center for Pain Medicine </p> <p class="eyebrow">Bayfront Medical Building</p> <p> 520 Illinois St. <br> San Francisco, CA 94158 </p> <div class="field-read-more-link"> <div class="font-smaller"> <span class="icon-ui-phone"></span>(415) 885-7246 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component article-cards cards-component col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div> <h2 class="heading1 title-anchor"> Related treatments </h2> <div class="view-all"> </div> </div> <div class="cards"> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/ct-guided-spinal-injections" class="phantom-link" title="CT-Guided Spinal Injections"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/ct-guided-spinal-injections-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=a83a61b59d094535bcee66fe149849f5&hash=7D62FD5E3FC3EDD3477675F02EB8F92F" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> CT-Guided Spinal Injections </p> <p> Recent advances in imaging technology now allow neuroradiologists to more accurately pinpoint the source of patients' back or neck painLearn more here. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/intrathecal-drug-delivery" class="phantom-link" title="Intrathecal Drug Delivery"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/intrathecal-drug-delivery-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=71dbf1c602e14f9d987ae7689c125050&hash=FF38369D03575559B40696FE285D04D9" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Intrathecal Drug Delivery </p> <p> Intrathecal drug delivery, also known as the "pain pump," uses a small pump to deliver pain medication directly to your spinal cord. Find more information here. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/joint-injections" class="phantom-link" title="Joint Injections"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/joint-injections-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=a91d0fc1bcef4e73a95091c479408e05&hash=30CA28AAF27570638360485AF7AD9992" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Joint Injections </p> <p> Injury to the joints can cause pain in the legs, lower back, groin, buttocks, knees, shoulders and hips. Pain may occur from injury, simple wear and tear, etc. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/nerve-blocks" class="phantom-link" title="Nerve Blocks"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/nerve-blocks-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=02ad1eb21855427ab60935cacd8325c1&hash=1C00D32BA3B54A7D483D65F188839659" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Nerve Blocks </p> <p> Your doctor may suggest a nerve block if other treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medicines, rest and physiotherapy were unsuccessful.Learn more here. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/radiofrequency-ablation" class="phantom-link" title="Radiofrequency Ablation"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/radiofrequency-ablation-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=291402a277284b049ec0988bfdd1edb1&hash=33FBC8FEC150294180DD0990205579C4" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Radiofrequency Ablation </p> <p> RFA typically targets pain from the facet and sacroiliac joints, which can contribute to chronic pain in the neck or lower back. Find more information here. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="card-content"> <a href="/treatments/spinal-cord-stimulation" class="phantom-link" title="Spinal Cord Stimulation"></a> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/treatment/hero/spinal-cord-stimulation-2x.jpg?h=376&w=974&rev=c02977573e0c4d7b9f67fb1c77579604&hash=00F4026103523E64402EA2366E2E381F" alt="" width="2880" height="1112" /> <p class="font-larger"> Spinal Cord Stimulation </p> <p> Spinal cord stimulation delivers mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord that interrupt pain signals to the brain, replacing them with a tingling sensation. </p> <span class="field-read-more-link"> <span class="include-ucsf-arrow"></span> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="component doctor-results col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <h2 class="heading1 title-anchor"> Our experts </h2> <div class="doctor-results-wrapper custom-scrollbar-container"> <ul> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-christopher-r-abrecht"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-chris-abrecht-md-5903-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=ef2264eba70048bba932ce374e2b5b18&hash=DC5AD633709FC163DFCCFEBCDA4C1A49" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Christopher R. Abrecht </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-mario-de-pinto"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-mario-de-pinto-md-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=f75fc1f4d89b4b2781d8d8765d9f61aa&hash=12435B84A94BA65ABF879506B0B962D7" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Mario De Pinto </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-zhonghui-guan"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-zhonghui-guan-md-8675-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=c04cbfdb4be74afc91b3e96925d9c290&hash=7FEB7A435E5A027613B7FFA3B1F42C3D" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Zhonghui Guan </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-melanie-m-henry"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-melanie-henry-md-9897-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=1854e0e349404224ad97f31764081f3f&hash=197E78EFBCFB4F221E831FF0E0726216" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Melanie M. Henry </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD, MPH </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-david-j-lee"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-david-j-lee-md-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=f9ba3906c4614470a327615be4a75206&hash=DDA7E214322DE07C387A7EDD65E3FD5E" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> David J. Lee </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-george-w-pasvankas"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-george-pasvankas-md-35215-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=e31708abe99648409bdb9c48d4d0a7ba&hash=90F44DF08A1C3DA5E2AC3912BE33E4BB" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> George W. Pasvankas </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-thoha-pham"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-thoha-pham-md-8643-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=29a7d6f00f264937a567c544169de870&hash=9ED753C85281224D015BEAFFB9B5556A" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Thoha M. Pham </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/providers/dr-xiaobing-yu"> <img loading="lazy" src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/doctor/card/dr-xiaobing-yu-md-320x320-2x.jpg?h=526&w=526&rev=2e7abd29b86d4dc08d6fffb0d6f78373&hash=B1F7E52E923AE31EEABEDC78DF5E0027" alt="" width="640" height="640"> <div> <h3 class="doctor-name"> Xiaobing Yu </h3> <p class="font-larger doctor-class"> MD </p> <span class="doctor-simple-title"> Pain medicine physician and anesthesiologist </span> </div> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div> </main>   <footer> <div id="footer" class="container"> <div class="component footer-values col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div> <div class="component ucsf-values col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="container"><div class="title eyebrow field-eyebrow-text">Did you know?</div><h2 class="heading1 field-quote-text">In 2016, UCSF became the first U.S. hospital to perform osseoanchored prosthesis surgery. In this procedure, surgeons use a titanium screw to permanently attach a prosthetic limb to the patient's remaining bone. With the implant firmly anchored in the right place, patients are spared pain, pressure sores and other complications of traditional prosthetics.</h2><a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2016/05/402621/osseointegration-surgery-ucsf-first-its-kind-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{F1963BFE-118E-41DD-929A-AD5FA7899D4A}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Learn more</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component footer-content col-xs-12"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="container"><div class="top-row"> <div class="component image file-type-icon-media-link logo"> <div class="component-content"> <img src="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/images/logos/logowhite.png?h=26&iar=0&w=141&rev=7a07669440bb454d9c7c3ef29f025f8b&hash=F3B696610C78F98E03B340A55F44AC06" alt="UCSF Health" width="141" height="26" data-variantitemid="{43F4CA98-D35D-4B36-8558-CADA034604A7}" data-variantfieldname="Image" loading="lazy" /> </div> </div> <div class="top-social-row"> <div class="component link-list social-footer"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Follow UCSF Health:</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UCSFMedicalCenter/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span></a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://x.com/ucsfhospitals" target="_blank" title="X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span></a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter"><span class="icon-social-youtube"></span></a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucsfhealth/" target="_blank" title="Instagram"><span class="icon-social-instagram"></span></a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsfhealth" target="_blank" title="Linkedin"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="component row-splitter"> <div class=" footer-nav container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Getting Care</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/find-a-doctor" data-variantitemid="{1AC773C8-F17A-4A0B-9496-DE34B3FDA596}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Find a Doctor</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/clinics/emergency-department" data-variantitemid="{9AF6DB09-5E16-4E8F-AE94-621AFDFC7840}" title="Emergency Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Emergency Care</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/list-of-clinics/primary-care" data-variantitemid="{B7B3FA6B-B1BD-4342-8EAF-4B60DB4294CD}" title="Primary Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Primary Care</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="/clinics" data-variantitemid="{5A958CEB-5CC1-4ACA-9A21-8AD13E8349DD}" data-variantfieldname="Link">All Medical Services</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd"> <a href="/services/international-services" data-variantitemid="{BF8BF095-A11D-46C5-95FF-AC0B07430B42}" data-variantfieldname="Link">International Services</a> </li> <li class="item5 even"> <a href="/about/pricing-transparency" data-variantitemid="{3FD4811E-789A-4F66-8CBD-63505BDFC762}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Price Transparency</a> </li> <li class="item6 odd last"> <a href="/billing-and-insurance/help-paying-your-bill" data-variantitemid="{508725AA-61CE-4A59-92B6-7E494C6C8EB2}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Help Paying Your Bill</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Getting Involved</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://giving.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{29C54385-66F4-48A6-A7D3-905A0308F392}" title="Donate" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Donate</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://ucsfhealth.samaritan.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{C534900F-91C6-4E07-85A7-2772BA5A67CB}" title="Volunteer" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Volunteer</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd last"> <a href="/about/career-information" data-variantitemid="{509A4FEF-0D26-4AF6-9B81-9D3B10415AF4}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Join Our Team</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">About Us</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/locations" data-variantitemid="{F506296B-B7C2-4932-AA79-8ADBD7A5171F}" title="Locations & Directions" data-variantfieldname="Link">Locations & Directions</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/contact-us" data-variantitemid="{D776CD8C-2EF9-4B7F-AED1-394868315243}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/services/patient-relations" data-variantitemid="{9466A4FF-EEAE-47C6-8C3E-4486C4DEB05B}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Contact Patient Relations</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news-media/journalists " rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{E2BC6CAA-8F60-46D7-9AFC-BD58E1D88C66}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Media Resources</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd"> <a href="/services/accessibility-resources" data-variantitemid="{77A35480-B0AA-4719-807B-9342DB1F5184}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Accessibility Resources</a> </li> <li class="item5 even"> <a href="/about/sexual-harassment-reporting-and-nondiscrimination-notice" data-variantitemid="{F15D3356-2084-49E7-BBB2-C93F06E7ABC1}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Report Misconduct</a> </li> <li class="item6 odd"> <a href="/website-privacy-policy" data-variantitemid="{2BBA9C94-27D8-4C7D-BCFC-BFCF044153B4}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Website Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="item7 even"> <a href="/about/quality-of-patient-care" data-variantitemid="{4FB09E1E-BF44-4F5C-8A02-D4FB43FB5626}" title="Quality of Patient Care" data-variantfieldname="Link">Quality of Patient Care</a> </li> <li class="item8 odd"> <a href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/pdf/crisis-standards-of-care.pdf?rev=0d122f1cc1f5437aada5361d5f3ca7dc&hash=6759377BF7908544EA7B188ADDC68A08" data-variantitemid="{90D74519-0779-4B00-BA3F-4AFB696BB4FC}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Crisis Standards of Care</a> </li> <li class="item9 even"> <a href="/about" data-variantitemid="{F3E86A44-0143-4054-87F5-BE4D58DD4999}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Our Organization</a> </li> <li class="item10 odd"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/news" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{5BC38D88-AC25-4465-9A7E-4333EC72E4AC}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF News</a> </li> <li class="item11 even last"> <a href="/-/media/project/ucsf/ucsf-health/pdf/ucsfhipaa-072021.pdf?rev=1ba3b481dc4a41fa9dbabb24299f34bb&hash=0E63FF00C4BDCB9C50A33177E30FC62F" data-variantitemid="{CCEAAE80-5B3C-4FCF-95AF-C9874F0DB3D8}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Notice of Privacy Practices</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Research and Education</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{6CBDBDFF-26BD-45A3-8F4B-6C7183A10749}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{341E340D-5DEF-45BA-8E48-A5EE829E219B}" title="UC San Francisco" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UC San Francisco</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://medschool.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{00E9070A-B2F5-44EF-B191-C7FBB0AD38B2}" title="UCSF School of Medicine" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Medicine</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://nursing.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{8DD32DF1-839D-4E91-9D76-4D67402FDBCB}" title="UCSF School of Nursing" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Nursing</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{81ED1BDE-45E1-4CD5-AB43-EC570F877DB9}" title="UCSF School of Pharmacy" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">UCSF School of Pharmacy</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="component link-list col-md-6 col-lg"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Referring Physicians</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/refer-a-patient" data-variantitemid="{2215C675-3589-49C1-8DB2-D9357C299CD1}" title="Refer a Patient" data-variantfieldname="Link">Refer a Patient</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/for-health-professionals/transfer-a-patient" data-variantitemid="{2CF89CF3-857D-4293-A6C3-AEACDFEE9F9F}" title="Transfer a Patient" data-variantfieldname="Link">Transfer a Patient</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="/mdlink" data-variantitemid="{F216922D-7B96-45DF-A6F2-29AB25B350F2}" data-variantfieldname="Link">MDLink</a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="/for-health-professionals/request-a-consultation" data-variantitemid="{9235B0AA-89B0-4E51-9C51-50388F4A46A5}" title="Request a Consultation" data-variantfieldname="Link">Request a Consultation</a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://medconnection.ucsfhealth.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-variantitemid="{1EE9F372-4A58-4089-A473-B4D3A89B1820}" data-variantfieldname="Link" target="_blank">Physician Channel</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=" bottom-social-row container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <div class="component link-list social-footer"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow">Follow UCSF Health:</div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UCSFMedicalCenter/" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span></a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="https://x.com/ucsfhospitals" target="_blank" title="X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span></a> </li> <li class="item2 odd"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/user/UCSFMedicalCenter"><span class="icon-social-youtube"></span></a> </li> <li class="item3 even"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ucsfhealth/" target="_blank" title="Instagram"><span class="icon-social-instagram"></span></a> </li> <li class="item4 odd last"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucsfhealth" target="_blank" title="Linkedin"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="component rich-text copyright"> <div class="component-content"> <span>漏 2002 - </span><span>2024</span><span>. </span>The Regents of The University of California. </div> </div> <div class="component link-list footer-secondary-nav"> <div class="component-content"> <div class="eyebrow"></div> <ul> <li class="item0 odd first"> <a href="/website-privacy-policy" data-variantitemid="{EE28BB0F-74F0-4D51-8EBE-B6C670E33A04}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="item1 even"> <a href="/about/terms-of-use" data-variantitemid="{42863EE4-B140-4240-A7E0-A26699F458DC}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Terms and Conditions</a> </li> <li class="item2 odd last"> <a data-variantitemid="{7AC8FA1E-4CD5-4BAE-A3B4-F9722170203D}" data-variantfieldname="Link">Some stock photos, posed by model.</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer>  </div> <script src=/assets/ucsf/main.js?v=fc3da29fef15f42892385817411ce1b2></script> <div class="share-menu"> <span class="icon-ui-close"></span> <h4>Share</h4> <ul> <li class="email-link"> <a href="#"><span class="icon-ui-mail"></span> Email Link</a> </li> <li class="copy-link"> <span class="icon-ui-share"></span> Copy Link <span class="svg-ui-checkmark"></span> </li> <li class="facebook-share"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=" target="_blank" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="window.open('https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=' + encodeURIComponent(document.URL) + '&quote=' + encodeURIComponent(document.URL)); return false;"><span class="icon-social-facebook"></span> Share on Facebook</a> </li> <li class="linkedin-share"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=" target="_blank" title="Share on LinkedIn"><span class="icon-social-linkedin"></span> Share on LinkedIn</a> </li> <li class="twitter-share"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=" target="_blank" title="Share on X"><span class="icon-social-twitter"></span> Share on X</a> </li> </ul> </div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Epidural Injections | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Health