Do Epidural Steroid Injections Work?

New analysis of 29 other studies regarding epidural steroid injections for back pain determines:

– Epidural steroid injection did not improve back–specific disability more than a placebo or other procedure.

– Epidural steroid injection did not significantly decrease the number of patients who underwent subsequent surgery compared with a placebo or other treatments (relative risk, 1.02; 95 percent CI, 0.83 to 1.24).

Epidural steroid injection therapy for low back pain: a meta-analysis
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, 07/24/2013


By Kevin Fielden