Treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with epidural steroid injections: a retrospective outcome study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine patient satisfaction, relief of pain, frequency of injections, change of function, and subsequent surgical rate in patients who received epidural steroid injections (ESIs) for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).


METHODS
Retrospective review conducted using a standard set of questions asked over the telephone, 6 to 36 months after the patient received an ESI.


METHODS
An outpatient spine center.


METHODS
One hundred forty patients at or over the age of 55 years diagnosed with LSS who received ESI(s).


METHODS
Transforaminal or caudal fluoroscopically guided ESIs with 60 to 100mg of triamcinalone in combination with local anesthetic or normal saline. Main outcome measures Duration and amount of pain relief, change in functional status, patient satisfaction, and surgical rate, assessed by a 5-item questionnaire.


RESULTS
Of the 140 participants, 32% reported more than 2 months of pain relief, 39% reported less than 2 months of pain relief, and 29% reported no relief from the injection(s). Twenty percent subsequently had surgery. Fifty-three percent reported improvement in their functional abilities. Seventy-four percent where at least somewhat satisfied with ESI as a form of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
ESI is a reasonable treatment for LSS, providing one third of our patient population with sustained relief and more than half with sustained improvement in function.
Delport
Elva G
EG
Christiana Spine Center, Newark, DE, USA.
Cucuzzella
Anthony R
AR
Marley
Julie K
JK
Pruitt
Christine M
CM
Fisher
J Rush
JR
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone