| Epidural steroid injections typically provide meaningful relief for 3 to 6 months, with a range from a few weeks to over a year. About 70–90% of patients with sciatica get short-term relief. How long it lasts depends on your diagnosis, how long you’ve had symptoms, and whether you use the low-pain window to complete physical therapy. |
Medically reviewed by Mahmudul Patwary, MD — Interventional Pain Management, Grewal Orthopedic & Spine Care. Reviewed July 2026.
What affects duration
Recent disc-related sciatica responds better and longer than long-standing stenosis. An injection is an anti-inflammatory, not a cure — it opens a window for rehab.
If relief keeps fading
Repeatedly short-lived relief is information: options include radiofrequency ablation for facet pain, Intracept for vertebrogenic pain, or a surgical opinion for structural compression.
Sources: NASS guidelines; ASIPP guidelines; Manchikanti L et al., Pain Physician.
