Choose a current medical procedure, medication, or therapy. Discuss the scientific/medical rationale for its effectiveness, history of its development, the research related to its safety and effectiveness, and any controversies over its use.

Epidural Steroid Injections are used commonly to relieve pain from conditions like sciatica or herniated disks. Its effectiveness can be explained scientifically by the fact that the medication is injected in the epidural space to reduce inflammation and swelling around a nerve root, which may ultimately relieve pain.

Although ESIs have been around since the 1940s, when they were used for various types of musculoskeletal problems, it wasn’t until 1976 that their effectiveness as a treatment method to reduce radiculopathy-related lower back or leg pain was demonstrated. Many studies have been done over the years to determine if ESIs are safe and effective.

There is still some debate about its long-term usage due to possible side effects such as nerve damage and loss of mobility. The research shows that ESIs provide some relief, but it is not able to prevent future symptoms or deliver lasting results.

Overall, ESIs are safe and efficient when used correctly. However, further studies should be done to determine their safety and effectiveness over longer time periods before making any long-term conclusions.