Epidural steroid injections have been gaining popularity as an alternative to surgical treatment of
radicular pain with associated spinal derangement. To determine the effectiveness and indications
of lumbar epidural steroid injections in patients with or without surgery, we performed a prospective
observational study.
We gathered data from 262 degenerative short-segment spinal disease patients (affected at one
or 2 levels) with greater than 12 weeks of medication-resistant radicular pain without neurological
deficits but with moderate disability (visual analog scale < 6.5; Oswestry Disability Index < 35). All
patients received initial fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections of the
affected vertebral level(s) corresponding to their symptoms. Those with inadequate responses or
who wanted subsequently surgery underwent decompression surgery. Clinical and demographic
characteristics were assessed to compare the differences between the groups.
Results: Of the 262 patients who received epidural steroid injections, 204 did not have operations
for up to one year. However, 58 patients experienced inadequate relief of pain or wanted operations
and therefore underwent surgery. At baseline, the 2 groups had similar mean disability indices and
pain scores, as well as gender ratios, ages, and durations of symptoms (P > 0.05). In the patients
who underwent surgery, the mean disability and pain scores were not significantly decreased after
injection compared to those in the injection-alone group, although the scores for the injection
plus surgery patients decreased significantly after surgery (P < 0.05). In contrast, patients who
underwent epidural steroid injection alone experienced a significant decrease in disability and pain
after injection, and that persisted up to one year of follow-up (P < 0.05).
Epidural steroid injection can decrease the pain and disability in the majority of a moderate disability
group for up to one year, although a significant number of patients underwent surgery regardless
of injection. We recommend epidural steroid injection as a first-line treatment in patients with
moderate disability that can be converted to surgery without significant delay.
Key words: Epidural steroid injection, spinal surgery, lumbar spinal disease, lumbar radiculopathy,
lumbar radicular pain