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

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is one of the most common causes of lower back pain, radiculopathy, and functional impairment. Intra-articular (IA) steroid injections, including transforaminal (TFESI), interlaminar (IESI), and caudal (CESI) epidural steroid injections, are commonly administered to alleviate these symptoms when surgery is not indicated or opted for. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of these injection modalities in reducing pain and disability in LDH patients.

Methods

Following PRISMA, 19,664 studies on IA steroid injections for LDH were screened, yielding 41 eligible studies. Random-effects and fixed effects meta-analyses computed pooled standardized mean changes (SMC), depending on heterogeneity (I²).

Re

SUBMITTER: Gill SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature