An audit of the use of epidural injections for back pain and sciatica

Abstract

An audit was conducted to determine if epidural injections for back pain and sciatica were practised in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). More than 80% of injections were used for conditions for which they were not indicated, and which the NHMRC considers experimental. Most commonly, epidural injections afforded no benefit to the patients, yet were often repeated. In no instance was informed consent recorded as recommended by the NHMRC. The practice of epidural injections is dissonant both with the evidence-based literature and with recommended guidelines, and squanders both financial and professional resources.