The Relationship Between Repeated Epidural Steroid Injections and Subsequent Opioid Use and Lumbar Surgery

Opioid use did not decrease in the 6 months after ESIs. In this population, patients who received multiple injections were more likely to start taking opioids and to undergo lumbar surgery within the 6 months after treatment with ESIs. These findings are concerning because our data suggest that ESIs are not reducing opioid use in this VA population.