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Systemic Effects of Steroids Following Epidural Steroid Injections

  • Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (B Schneider, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Systemic absorption of corticosteroids occurs following epidural administration. Central steroid response, including sleeplessness, flushing, and non-positional headache, insomnia, hiccups, flushing, and increased radicular pain, represents some of the most common immediate or delayed adverse event related to epidural steroid injections (ESI).

Recent Findings

The systemic effects of corticosteroids themselves likely represent the most commonly encountered complications that result from ESI. These include hyperglycemia, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression, decreased bone mineral density, and others.

Summary

This narrative review is an up-to-date summary of the literature related to adverse events following ESI which are attributable to the systemic effects of corticosteroids.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2201 Children’s Way Suite 1318, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA

    Renee Rosati & Byron J. Schneider

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Rosati, R., Schneider, B.J. Systemic Effects of Steroids Following Epidural Steroid Injections. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 7, 397–403 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-019-00245-4

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