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Epidural Steroid Injections in Post-lumbar Surgery Syndrome After Single-level Discectomy

Comparison of Caudal Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Post-lumbar Surgery Syndrome After Single-level Discectomy: A Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05099796
Enrollment
62
Registered
2021-10-29
Start date
2016-01-05
Completion date
2021-05-11
Last updated
2021-10-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Low Back Pain, Radiculopathy, Epidural Fibrosis

Keywords

Failed back surgery syndrome, epidural steroid injections

Brief summary

62 patients with postlumbar surgery syndrome were randomized and divided into two groups. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) was applied to the TFESI group (n=31), and caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) was applied to the CESI group (n=31). The age of the patients involved in this study ranged from 18 years old to 65 years old

Detailed description

Patients with low back and radicular pain related to epidural fibrosis following single-level lumbar discectomy were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups as the CESI group and TFESI group. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection was applied to the TFESI group (n=31), and caudal epidural steroid injection was applied to the CESI group (n=31). All patients were assessed before the procedure (baseline) and at 1 hour, three weeks, and three months after the procedure using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and at baseline and three weeks and three months using the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI). Treatment success was defined as ≥50% decrease in the NRS scores compared to baseline

Interventions

Sponsors

Marmara University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age between 18 and 65 years * Previous single-level, open, non-fusion discectomy for L4-5 or L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation within the past six months * Having epidural fibrosis involving the L4, L5 or S1 nerve root on magnetic resonance imaging * Having low back and leg pain for at least six months and unresponsive to conservative therapies * A Numerical Rating Scale score of ≥4 * Having a single-level epidural fibrosis in the operated level and side as assessed by contrast-enhanced spinal magnetic resonance imaging

Exclusion criteria

* Having a multi-level epidural fibrosis * Previous surgery for multi-level disc herniation * Previous lumbar fusion surgery * Having recurrent disc hernia * Having sacroiliac/facet joint pain * Having lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, or scoliosis * History of epidural steroid injection within the past six months * Having bleeding diathesis * Presence of systemic or local infections * Pregnancy * Known hypersensitivity to the injectates to be applied

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in pain severityAll patients were assessed from baseline to each checkpoint (at 1 hour, three weeks, and three months after the procedure)Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) is a scale for assessing the severity of pain. The numerical rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being worst pain imaginable. The patient chooses the most appropriate number describing the severity of pain (oral version).
Change in disability scoreAll patients were assessed from baseline to each checkpoint (at 1 hour, three weeks, and three months after the procedure)Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI) is a 10-question questionnaire assessing disability in low back pain. Each question has 6 options. The lowest score for each question is zero and the highest score is 5. High score is associated with increased disability.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026