120 patients with axial or discogenic neck pain (i.e. without disc herniation, radiculitis, spinal stenosis, spondylosis or facet joint pain) lasting at least 6 months, and for whom conservative treatment was unsuccessful, were randomized to receive an interlaminar epidural injection of local anaesthetic either with or without steroids in the cervical spine. The purpose of this study was to compare pain, function, opioid consumption and work status between treatment groups. Results at 2 years indicated that, although both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and function, and were equally safe, there was no significant difference in these outcomes whether steroids were included in the injection, or not. Furthermore, there was no significant between-group difference in opioid consumption or work status.