Epidural steroids were first used in the treatment of radiculopathy when it was realized that intra-articular steroids were beneficial in the treatment of joint pain. The first reported cases of epidural steroid injection were by Lievre et al<sup>17 Lievre J.A., Block-Michel H., Pean G. , e al. L'hydrocortisone en injection locale Rev Rheumat Mal Osteoartic 1953 ;  20 : 310-311

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> in 1953. Goebart et al<sup>14 Goebart H.W., Jallo S.J., Garner W.J. , e al. Painful radiculopathy treated with epidural injections of procaine and hydrocortisone acetate: Results in 113 patients Anaesth Analg 1961 ;  40 : 130-134

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> were the first investigators in the United States to publish a report on epidural steroid injections. They believed that painful nerve root compression syndromes were associated with inflammation and edema and that the beneficial effect of steroids resulted from their strong anti-inflammatory quality. Based on this report and multiple subsequent reports the use of epidural steroids has continued to increase in popularity, especially with the increased use of conservative, nonoperative treatment of back pain.