Transforaminal epidural steroid injections are commonly given to patients to treat leg and/or back pain and improve mobility without surgery. These steroid injections allow healing to occur before surgery or non-surgical treatment approaches have failed.

It can be repeated if necessary to reintroduce its therapeutic effects, although as a rule, patients who obtained little relief from the first injection describe little relief from a second or third injection. Patients can usually expect relief within two weeks with a duration of pain relief typically ranging from two to six months or possibly longer.