Fluoroscopically guided lumbar transformational epidural steroid injections in degenerative lumbar stenosis: an outcome study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the short- and long-term therapeutic benefit of fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with radicular leg pain from degenerative lumbar stenosis.


METHODS
This prospective cohort study performed at a multidisciplinary spine center. There were a total of 34 patients who met our inclusion criteria for the treatment of unilateral radicular pain from degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural injections. Patients with radiculopathy, who did not respond to physical therapy, antiinflammatories, or analgesics, caused by degenerative lumbar stenosis and confirmed by magnetic resonance imagining received fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections at the presumed symptomatic nerve root. The injectant consisted of 12 mg of betamethasone acetate and 2 ml of 1% preservative-free lidocaine HCL. Patients were evaluated by an independent observer and received questionnaires before the initial injection, at 2 mo, and at 12 mo after the injections. Questionnaires included a visual analog scale, Roland 5-point pain scale, standing/walking tolerance, and patient satisfaction scale.


RESULTS
A total of 34 patients met our inclusion criteria and were followed for 1 yr. Seventy-five percent of patients had successful long-term outcome, reporting at least a >50% reduction between preinjection and postinjection pain scores, with an average of 1.9 injections per patient. Sixty-four percent of patients had improved walking tolerance, and 57% had improved standing tolerance at 12 mo.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections may help reduce unilateral radicular pain and improve standing and walking tolerance in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
Botwin
Kenneth P
KP
Florida Spine Institute, Clearwater, Florida 33765, USA.
Gruber
Robert D
RD
Bouchlas
Constantine G
CG
Torres-Ramos
Francisco M
FM
Sanelli
Joseph T
JT
Freeman
Eric D
ED
Slaten
Warren K
WK
Rao
Sanjiv
S
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids