Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections: 9 Things You NEED to Know!

Are lumbar epidural steroid injections the answer for sciatica? In this video, Dr. Jacob Kneeman breaks down what epidural steroid injections do, who they help most, what the latest evidence says, and whether they might be the appropriate for your symptoms.*

✅ What you’ll learn:

What sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) actually is
How epidural steroid injections are performed
The real evidence on how much relief they provide—and how long it lasts
Possible side effects, risks, and safety precautions
Who is most likely to benefit (and who may not)

💡 The goal: to give you balanced, evidence-based information so you can make smart choices about your pain care.

⚠️ *Disclaimer:* This video is for education only and is not medical advice. Please talk with your healthcare provider about your specific situation.

Citations:

*Friedly JL, et al.* (2014). A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(1), 11–21.

👉 Referenced when explaining what epidural steroid injections are and their role in reducing inflammation.

*Chou R, et al.* (2015). Epidural corticosteroid injections for radiculopathy and spinal stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 163(5), 373–381.

👉 Used when describing evidence showing short-term benefit for leg pain and function.

*Manchikanti L, et al.* (2021). Epidural interventions in the management of chronic spinal pain: American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) guidelines. Pain Physician, 24(S1), S27–S208.

👉 Referenced when discussing updated clinical guidelines on when injections are most appropriate.

*Cohen SP, et al.* (2012). Epidural steroids: a comprehensive, evidence-based review. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 37(2), 175–200.

👉 Cited when explaining potential benefits, risks, and safety considerations of epidural steroid injections.

*Bicket MC, et al.* (2013). Epidural steroid injections: an updated review on recent trends in safety and effectiveness. Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, 26(5), 556–562.

👉 Referenced when balancing the discussion about risks, side effects, and expected outcomes