Efficacy of epidural neuroplasty versus transforaminal epidural steroid injection for the radiating pain caused by a herniated lumbar disc.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the treatment effects of epidural neuroplasty (NP) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for the radiating pain caused by herniated lumbar disc.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc through magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography were included in this study. Fourteen patients received an epidural NP and eighteen patients had a TFESI. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional rating index (FRI) were measured before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment.


RESULTS
In the epidural NP group, the mean values of the VAS before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment were 7.00±1.52, 4.29±1.20, 2.64±0.93, 1.43±0.51 and those of FRI were 23.57±3.84, 16.50±3.48, 11.43±2.44, 7.00±2.15. In the TFESI group, the mean values of the VAS before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment were 7.22±2.05, 4.28±1.67, 2.56±1.04, 1.33±0.49 and those of FRI were 22.00±6.64, 16.22±5.07, 11.56±4.18, 8.06±1.89. During the follow-up period, the values of VAS and FRI within each group were significantly reduced (p<0.05) after the treatment. But there were no significant differences between the two groups statistically.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural NP and TFESI are equally effective treatments for the reduction of radiating pain and for improvement of function in patients with a herniated lumbar disc. We recommend that TFESI should be primarily applied to patients who need interventional spine treatment, because it is easier and more cost-effective than epidural NP.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Hae Jong
HJ
Kim
Department of Neurosurgery, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Byeong Cheol
BC
Rim
Department of Neurosurgery, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Jeong-Wook
JW
Lim
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Noh Kyoung
NK
Park
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Tae-Wook
TW
Kang
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Min Kyun
MK
Sohn
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Jaewon
J
Beom
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
Sangkuk
S
Kang
Epidural neuroplasty; Herniated lumbar disc; Radiating pain; Transforaminal epidural steroid injection