Intra-articular steroid injections for lumbar disk herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Summary - MDSpire

Intra-articular steroid injections for lumbar disk herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • By

  • Saran Singh Gill

  • Pratik Ramkumar

  • Abith Ganesh Kamath

  • Sreeraag Kanakala

  • Akhil Anil

  • Srikar Reddy Namireddy

  • Srihan Yalavarthy

  • Daniele S. C. Ramsay

  • Ahmed Salih

  • Ahkash Thavarajasingam

  • Adrisa Prashar

  • Sajeenth Vishnu K

  • Tim Beutel

  • Salvatore Russo

  • Santhosh G. Thavarajasingam

  • Hariharan Subbiah Ponniah

  • November 14, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To assess and integrate the evidence for transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI), interlaminar epidural steroid injections (IESI), and caudal epidural steroid injections (CESI) in managing lumbar disc herniation (LDH), focusing on pain reduction and functional improvement.

Key Findings:
  • IA steroid injections provide significant symptomatic relief for patients with LDH, with specific effect sizes reported.
  • TFESI, IESI, and CESI show varying degrees of efficacy in pain reduction and functional improvement, with statistical significance noted.
  • Statistical analysis indicates significant differences in outcomes among the three injection techniques, warranting further investigation.
Interpretation:

The findings support the use of IA steroid injections as a viable non-surgical option for managing LDH, with specific techniques offering different benefits that should be considered in clinical practice.

Limitations:
  • Variability in study designs and methodologies may affect the generalizability of results, particularly in terms of patient demographics and outcome measures.
  • Potential publication bias and limited data on long-term outcomes highlight the need for further research.
Conclusion:

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of IA steroid injection techniques for LDH, aiding in evidence-based clinical decision-making and highlighting the need for tailored approaches based on individual patient circumstances.

Original Source(s)

Intra-articular steroid injections for lumbar disk herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • by Saran Singh Gill, Pratik Ramkumar, Abith Ganesh Kamath, Sreeraag Kanakala, Akhil Anil, Srikar Reddy Namireddy, Srihan Yalavarthy, Daniele S. C. Ramsay, Ahmed Salih, Ahkash Thavarajasingam, Adrisa Prashar, Sajeenth Vishnu K, Tim Beutel, Salvatore Russo, Santhosh G. Thavarajasingam, Hariharan Subbiah Ponniah

  • November 14, 2025

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