Post-injection care following an epidural steroid administration typically involves specific instructions regarding the application of heat or cold. The absence of a recommendation to apply heat is a deliberate strategy aimed at minimizing potential complications and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Heat application can increase blood flow to the injected area, potentially exacerbating inflammation and discomfort, counteracting the anti-inflammatory effects of the steroid medication.
The rationale for avoiding heat stems from a comprehensive understanding of the physiological effects of both inflammation and steroid medications. Steroids are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Increasing blood flow via heat application can disrupt the localized therapeutic environment established by the injection. Historically, post-injection protocols have evolved based on empirical observation and clinical research. Early practices may have varied, but current standards increasingly favor cold therapy or neither, prioritizing the reduction of inflammation and discomfort.
