[Use of glucocorticoids in low back pain due to disc herniation with radicular involvement].

Although systemic glucocorticoids are frequently used for the treatment of radicular pain due to disc herniation, there are only few studies available. No trial has successfully demonstrated the superiority of systemic glucocorticoids compared to placebo. Therefore their use is not recommended. Spinal injection using radiographic guidance appears to provide some beneficial short-term effect on pain. It might be offered when pain treatments according to the WHO steps have failed. Because rare but serious adverse events have been reported, transforaminal periradicular injections should only be used after thorough analysis of risks and benefits with the patient.