Epidural Injections For Low Back & Neck Pain May Increase Fracture Risk

A retrospective analysis recently performed, and published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, has found that, in older patients the risk of vertebral fracture is increased following epidural steroid injections.

The results were confirmed in a second analysis and the researchers used the records of more than 3000 patients who were 50 years or older and who had received at least one steroid injection for compressive neuropathic pain.

While this is a preliminary study and did not control for a number of other cofactors that influence bone stability and increase fracture risk such as smoking and higher BMIs, it is important to consider when referring patients for lumbar steroid injections.