How effective are steriod injections for treating back pain?

Steroid injections have become an increasingly popular option for treating lower back pain. Typically, they are injected into the epidural space between the vertebrae and protective covering of the spinal cord. While they can help temporarily reduce inflammation around the irritated nerve (which causes pain that radiates down the leg), steroid shots are overused, and there is little evidence that they work for lower back pain. What’s more, there are serious risks associated with steroid injections -- often due to damaging the dural sheath that protects the spine -- including headaches, increased pain, and, in severe cases, paralysis.