Epidural corticosteroid injections for acute radiculopathy in a 95-year-old woman.
A previously independent 95-year-old woman had acute, disabling left lumbosacral radiculopathy diagnosed by clinical findings and imaging studies. Significant side effects of oral nonsteroidal and narcotic medications led to treatment with epidural steroids (triamcinolone acetonide). These injections provided pain relief, allowing a short course of inpatient rehabilitation that improved the patient's function and facilitated return to independent living. At 1-year follow-up, she continued to live independently and remained free of pain. We believe that epidural steroids coupled with a comprehensive rehabilitation program can lead to restoration of function in some elderly patients unable to tolerate the side effects of standard pain medications.
Physical Medicine Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
D A
DA
Ice
T R
TR
Dillingham
P V
PV
Belandres
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000187:drug effects*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide