What are some pros and cons for cortisone shots vs surgery for back pain?

It depends...: The choice in selecting cortisone versus surgery for back pain depends on the cause of back pain. Inflammation is best treated with anti-inflammatories, such as cortison while mechanical derangements may need surgery.

It depends......: If steroid helps may have a second or even a third 1-2 weed apart limit to avoid steroid bad effects. Surgery when it works is good but the wrong procedure at the wrong level leads to more pain and more surgery. The second third or.....Tenth-surger is never as good as the first or no surgery plus highfailure rates .Site specific steroid and or epidural lysis of adhesions reduce need for surg.