How effective are epidural steroid injections in patients with chronic low back pain?

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs)in patients with chronic low back pain due to lumbar disc herniation who did not respond to conservative treatment. ESIs in this study resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pain and improvement in functional outcomes. Baseline Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores (8.02±1.00) decreased to 3.80±2.53 at one month, 3.60±2.80 at three months, and 3.57±3.04 at six months (p<0.001). Similarly, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores showed a mean reduction of 37.8 points following the intervention (p<0.001, Cohen’s d=1.610), indicating substantial functional recovery. The most pronounced benefit was observed in patients with sequestrated disc herniations, where pain relief and functional gains were particularly evident. These findings demonstrate that transforaminal ESIs provide clinically meaningful and sustained outcomes in carefully selected patients with chronic low back pain. ESI provided a marked reduction in pain intensity and a clear improvement in daily functioning. Pain relief was evident within the first month and maintained throughout follow-up. Functional capacity improved substantially, with many patients reporting better mobility and quality of life. The benefit was observed across all Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) levels, with particularly favorable outcomes in patients with sequestrated disc herniations. Transforaminal ESIs appear to be an effective and minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with lumbar disc herniation–related chronic low back pain. They can provide sustained pain relief, enhance functional status, and may reduce the need for surgical intervention when applied with appropriate patient selection and technique.