Retrospective study to assess the functional efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injection in lumbar radiculopathy

• Published in: NeuroQuantology Vol. 21; no. 6; p. 66
• Main Authors: Kanakachalapathi, Ghavalkar, Abhishek, Patil, Subash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bornova Izmir NeuroQuantology 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Effectiveness; Epidural; Intervertebral discs; Low back disorders; Pain; Patient satisfaction; Steroids
• ISSN: 1303-5150
• DOI: 10.48047/nq.2023.21.6.NQ23010

Aims and Objective:To assess the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injection in patients with lumbar radiculopathy who failed to respond to conservative management. Methods: Patients with low back pain with unilateral radiation documented with lumbar disc disease treated initially with rest, analgesics, and physiotherapy for 6 weeks, were analyzed clinically and radiologically. A total of 30 patients selected for the study were examined according to protocol and radiological investigations were done accordingly. Post-epidural steroid injection patients were followed up for 6 months and post-injection functional outcome was assessed using Visual numerical score for pain, Patient satisfaction score and improvement in SLR. Results: Thirty patients were assessed with mean age of 42 years and 18 subjects were male and 12 were female. Mean pain score at 6 months post administration of transforaminal epidural steroid was 4.07, the mean patient satisfaction score was 2.6 at 6months. Mean SLR was 75 degrees at 6 months post TFESI compared to mean SLR of 35-degree pre procedure. Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural steroid injection is an effective non-surgical treatment option with regard to pain relief and functional improvement in patients with unilateral lumbar radiculopathy due to disc disease.