What are effects of epidural steroid injections (ESIs) on diskectomy outcomes?
According to a study conducted by Butterman and colleagues, ESIs were administered one level above the site of herniation. The patients included in this study had lumbar disk herniation which involved more than 25% of spinal canal cross-section. Each patient reveived 3 doses of ESIs. 56% of the patients reported better effects of the treatment. There was crossover among patients who first received ESIs and then underwent diskectomy. However those patients who received initial trial of ESIs, didn't experience detrimental effects.