Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Inciting Events and Their Association with Epidural Steroid Injection Outcomes

Pain Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2360-2370
Author(s):  
Alyson Marie Engle ◽  
Yian Chen ◽  
Bryan Marascalchi ◽  
Indy Wilkinson ◽  
Winfred B Abrams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Herniated Disc ◽  
Lumbosacral Radiculopathy ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Abstract Objective Low back pain is the leading cause of worldwide disability, with lumbosacral radiculopathy accounting for over one-third of these cases. There are limited data on the relationship between etiologies and lumbosacral radiculopathy, and it is unknown whether specific causes predict treatment outcomes. Design, Setting, and Subjects This study explores patient-reported etiologies for lumbosacral radiculopathy in a chronic pain clinic between January 2007 and December 2015 and examines whether these causes affected epidural steroid injection outcomes. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 1,242 patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy who received epidural steroid injections. The recording of an inciting event was done contemporaneously based on note templates. A positive outcome following an epidural steroid injection was defined as ≥30% pain relief sustained for six or more weeks without additional intervention. Factors associated with epidural steroid injection outcome were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. Results Fifty point seven percent reported an inciting event, and 59.9% of patients experienced a positive epidural steroid injection outcome. The most commonly reported causes were falls (13.1%), motor vehicle collisions (10.7%), and lifting (7.8%). Individuals with a herniated disc (56.3%) were more likely to report a precipitating cause than those with stenosis (44.7%) or degenerative discs (47.8%, P = 0.012). An inciting event did not predict treatment outcome. Factors associated with negative treatment outcome included opioid consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39–0.95, P = 0.027), secondary gain (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50–0.96, P = 0.030), and baseline pain score (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84–0.97, P = 0.006). The number of levels injected was associated with a positive outcome (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.28–6.47, P = 0.008). Conclusions Reported inciting events are common in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy but are not associated with outcome following epidural steroid injection, and their occurrence is not always consistent with the purported mechanism of injury.

scholarly journals The Dosages of Corticosteroid in Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections for Lumbar Radicular Pain Due to a Herniated Disc

2011 ◽  
Vol 4;14 (4;7) ◽  
pp. 361-370
Author(s):  
Byeong Mun Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Effective Dose ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Herniated Disc ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Minimal Effective Dose ◽  
Lumbosacral Radiculopathy ◽  
Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Intervertebral disc herniations are the most common cause of lumbosacral radiculopathy, and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is an important tool in treating lumbosacral radiculopathy. But the ideal dose of corticosteroid in the epidural management of lumbosacral radiculopathy has yet to be determined. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effective dose of steroids in TFESI for pain reduction in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Study Design: A randomized, double blind, controlled trial Setting: An interventional pain management practice center. Methods: A total of 160 participants received 2 epidural injections of either 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg of triamcinolone in one week intervals via TFESI. The degree of participant satisfaction and verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) were assessed at pretreatment, one week, and 2 weeks after the first TFESI. Results: The number of participants experiencing pain relief was significantly less than in other groups in the 5 mg triamcinolone group at one week after the first TFESI. There were no significant differences among the groups at one week after the second TFESI. VNRS decreased in the other groups except the triamcinolone 5 mg group at one week after the first TFESI. VNRS decreased in all groups at one week after the second TFESI. Limitations: The limitations include lack of placebo control group and lack of long-term follow-up. Conclusions: We recommend a minimal effective dose of corticosteroid (triamcinolone 10 mg) in TFESI for patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Key words: herniated disc, steroid, transforaminal epidural steroid injection, triamcinolone

scholarly journals Patient-Reported Outcomes and Satisfaction after Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Hashemi ◽  
Payman Dadkhah ◽  
Mehrdad Taheri ◽  
Mahshid Ghasemi ◽  
Ali Hosseinpoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Cervical radiculopathy caused by disc herniation is a frequent public health issue with economical and socio-professional impacts. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction from cervical epidural steroid injection during a 2-year follow-up. Materials and Methods: Results based on patients’ reports from a previously performed intervention of cervical epidural steroid injection on patients with cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation are prospectively collected. Outcome measures are Neck Disability Index (NDI), numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain assessment, and 5-scale patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) plus opioid medication for pain relief, additional injections, and progression to surgery. Results: Of total 37 cases, 34 were available for follow-up after 2-year postoperatively. The mean preoperative NDI was 21.17 and improved to 17.38, and the mean NRS was 7.7 and improved to 5.00; both were statistically significant. Mean patient satisfaction after 2 years was 3.17 out of 5. 11 cases needed additional injections, and 4 of patients proceeded to surgery. Conclusion: We showed that transforaminal cervical epidural steroid injection for cervical radiculopathy is an effective non-surgical treatment option, providing significant pain relief and functional improvement during 2-years follow-up along with higher-than-average patient satisfaction in most of our patients. [GMJ.2019;8:e1478]

scholarly journals Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection under Fluoroscopy in Management of Chronic Low Back Pain with or without Radiculopathy

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
Rupak Bhattarai ◽  
Bandana Paudel ◽  
Sangeeta Subba ◽  
Kumud Pyakurel ◽  
Bijay K. C. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Vas Score ◽  
Epidural Steroid ◽  
Caudal Epidural

Background: Low back pain with or without radiculopathy is most common presentations of chronic pain. Caudal epidural steroid injection is one of the treatment modalities of this type of pain syndromes. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 100 patient who presented in our pain clinic. These patients were given caudal epidural steroid injections under fluoroscopy guidance with 60 mg depo-methylprednisolone added to 0.5% lignocaine making a volume of 10 ml. All these patients were asked to follow up at pain clinic at 1 month, 3 months & 6 months to assess the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Straight leg Raise test (SLRT) & Patient satisfaction scale. Results: There was significant reduction in VAS score in one month, three months and six months follow up after caudal epidural steroid injection. The 50% reduction in pain was seen in 72 patients, 69 patients and 62 patients in one month, three months and six months respectively. The mean VAS score were 7.84 before pre-injection, 4.32 at one hour, 4.06 at one month, 4.18 at 3 months and 4.64 at 6 months after the procedure.The mean ODI were 35.16 before pre-injection, 32.12 at one hour, 28.14 at one month, 28.57 at 3 months and 28.68 at 6 months after the procedure. Conclusion: Caudal epidural steroid injections causes significant relief in pain symptoms of backache with or without radiculopathy and increases the quality of life.  

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