The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has developed a new systematic review to summarize the evidence for epidural steroid injections and whether they reduce pain and disability for people with certain kinds of chronic back pain. With an epidural steroid injection, a steroid or corticosteroid medication is injected into a part of the spine called the epidural space. The goal is to help reduce certain kinds of back pain.

For the review, researchers analyzed all available studies over a 16-year period. A total of 90 studies were examined. The review focused on the use of epidural steroid injections to reduce pain for people with radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a condition caused by a pinched nerve in your spine.

For people with radiculopathy, the review says studies show epidural steroid injections may be effective at modestly reducing pain and disability for up to three months after the procedure. When compared to people not receiving the treatment, 24% more people receiving the treatment reported reduced pain, and 16% more reported reduced disability for up to 3 months. The treatment may also reduce disability for up to six months or more, with 11% more of those treated reporting reduced disability.
As this approach works for only a minority of patients, and only for a limited time, chiropractic care for low back pain remains an attractive and effective alternative.

Chiropractic care improves the alignment of the spine, which can reduce pressure on compressed nerves, thereby helping to relieve pain and inflammation. Chiropractic care may also include exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com