Radicular Low Back Pain, Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Conditions
Keywords
Lumbar radicular pain, transforaminal epidural steroid injection, interventional pain management.
Brief summary
The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) in patients with radicular low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation who did not improve with conservative treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: How effective is TFESI in reducing pain and improving physical function over a three-month period? Can this procedure serve as a viable alternative to surgery for patients with persistent radiculopathy? Participants aged 18 to 90 underwent image-guided injections and were monitored for three months. Researchers tracked changes in their pain levels (using the Visual Analog Scale) and their ability to perform daily activities (using the Oswestry Disability Index) to determine the treatment's success.
Interventions
PROCEDUREtransforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI)
TFESI procedure was performed under sterile conditions, and the injection area was sterilized with povidone-iodine and a sterile drape was laid. To visualize the foramen, the fluoroscopy unit was rotated cranially and obliquely at an angle between 5 and 20 degrees, and 1% lidocaine was injected subcutaneously as a local anesthetic. A Quincke 90mm 22 gauge spinal needle was inserted under the intermittent guidance of fluoroscopy. The needle was advanced into the subpedicular space, proceeding along the path corresponding to the 6 o'clock position. Needle placement was confirmed with a lateral fluoroscopic image.
Sponsors
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
OTHER
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Between 18 and 90 years, * Presence of Low Back Pain with unilateral or bilateral pain radiating to the lower extremity, * Duration of symptoms for at least three months and unresponsive to conservative management, * Evidence of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation confirmed by MRI within the last six months
Exclusion criteria
* Prior lumbar ESI within 3 months, * History of polyneuropathy or entrapment neuropathy, * Presence of bleeding diathesis, * Systemic or local infections, * Having systemic and rheumatic diseases associated with peripheral nerve involvement.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visual analog scale | baseline, the 2nd weeks, and the 3rd months | (VAS: 0-10) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| functional status, | baseline, the 2nd weeks, and the 3rd months | Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBilir
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Outcome results
None listed