Common steroid may boost pain relief after spine surgery

This study tested whether adding the steroid dexamethasone to a standard nerve block could reduce pain and inflammation after lumbar laminectomy (back surgery). Thirty-six adults undergoing surgery received either the nerve block with dexamethasone or without. The dexamethasone group had longer pain relief, lower pain scores, and less need for opioid painkillers. The results suggest dexamethasone may be a useful addition to improve recovery after spine surgery.