Neurological Complication Rates of Epidural Injections and Selective Nerve Blocks: A Comparison of Steroid Use Patterns.

Objectives: Epidural injections and selective nerve blocks are widely used for pain relief, but steroid usage is controversial due to safety concerns. We carried out this retrospective cohort study to estimate the incidence rates of neurological complications associated with epidural and selective nerve blocks, in relation to steroid use patterns.

Materials And Methods: Using a national insurance claims database, we identified patients who received at least one epidural injection or nerve block from 2009 to 2013.