Back surgery pain relief boosted by common steroid

This study tested whether adding the steroid dexamethasone to a nerve block (erector spinae plane block) could improve pain control after lumbar laminectomy (back surgery). Thirty-six adults undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to receive either the nerve block with dexamethasone or without. The dexamethasone group had longer pain relief, lower pain scores, and needed less fentanyl (a strong painkiller) after surgery. The study suggests that adding dexamethasone to the nerve block can safely improve recovery after back surgery.