scholarly journals What Is the Role of Epidural Steroid Injections in Lumbar Spinal Disease with Moderate Disability?

2016 ◽  
Vol 4;19 (4;5) ◽  
pp. 293-298
Author(s):  
Jae-Young Hong
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Spinal Disease ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
One Year ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Epidural Steroid

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

scholarly journals Understanding whether chronic lower back pain patients with lumbar spinal stenosis benefit from multiple epidural steroid injections prior to the mild® Procedure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Pryzbylkowski ◽  
Anjum Bux ◽  
Kailash Chandwani ◽  
Vishal Khemlani ◽  
Shawn Puri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Chronic Lower Back Pain ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Lumbar Spinal ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Originally published in Pain Management, this article is a summary of a study performed to look at the benefit, if any, of more than one epidural steroid injection in the spine before the mild® Procedure. Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (commonly known as the mild Procedure) and epidural steroid injections are both common treatment options for lumbar spinal stenosis (commonly referred to as LSS), a condition that causes chronic lower back pain in older adults. To determine how to best treat LSS patients, healthcare professionals use a guide to help with the decision-making process (called an algorithm) to pass through non-medical to more invasive therapies that often includes one or more epidural steroid injections. An epidural steroid injection is medication inserted in the lower back to reduce swelling and provide relief from pain. Researchers wanted to look at a change to when in the treatment process the mild Procedure is carried out. In the study, researchers compared the medical records of participants who had received either just one or no steroid injection prior to the mild Procedure, to participants who received two or more epidural steroid injections prior to the mild Procedure. Similar outcomes in both treatment groups in this study proved that giving more than one epidural steroid injection prior to the mild Procedure did not improve how well patients did and may have delayed patient care. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that the standard treatment process for LSS patients be changed to give the mild Procedure either as soon as LSS is diagnosed or after the failure of the first epidural steroid injection.

Repeat epidural steroid injections for radicular pain due to lumbar or cervical disc herniation

2018 ◽  
Vol 100-B (10) ◽  
pp. 1364-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Joswig ◽  
A. Neff ◽  
C. Ruppert ◽  
G. Hildebrandt ◽  
M. N. Stienen
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Cervical Disc Herniation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
One Year ◽  
Epidural Steroid

AimsThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of repeat epidural steroid injections as a form of treatment for patients with insufficiently controlled or recurrent radicular pain due to a lumbar or cervical disc herniation.Patients and MethodsA cohort of 102 patients was prospectively followed, after an epidural steroid injection for radicular symptoms due to lumbar disc herniation, in 57 patients, and cervical disc herniation, in 45 patients. Those patients with persistent pain who requested a second injection were prospectively followed for one year. Radicular and local pain were assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional outcome with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or the Neck Pain and Disability Index (NPAD), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-12).ResultsA second injection was performed in 17 patients (29.8%) with lumbar herniation and seven (15.6%) with cervical herniation at a mean of 65.3 days (sd 46.5) and 47 days (sd 37.2), respectively, after the initial injection. All but one patient, who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy, responded satisfactorily with a mean VAS for leg pain of 8.8 mm (sd 10.3) and a mean VAS for arm pain of 6.3 mm (sd 9) one year after the second injection, respectively. Similarly, functional outcome and HRQoL were improved significantly from the baseline scores: mean ODI, 12.3 (sd 12.4; p < 0.001); mean NPAD, 19.3 (sd 24.3; p = 0.041); mean SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) in lumbar herniation, 46.8 (sd 7.7; p < 0.001); mean SF-12 PCS in cervical herniation, 43 (sd 6.8; p = 0.103).ConclusionRepeat steroid injections are a justifiable form of treatment in symptomatic patients with lumbar or cervical disc herniation whose symptoms are not satisfactorily relieved after the first injection. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1364–71.

scholarly journals Conus Medullaris Syndrome Days After A Single Epidural Steroid Injection

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Rafid Kasir ◽  
◽  
Jad Khalil ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Conus Medullaris ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Chronic Lower Back Pain ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Lower Back ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Epidural steroid injections (ESI) are commonly used in treatment of chronic lower back pain. Conus medullaris and cauda equina syndromes are rare complications of ESI. However, these typically occur after multiple injections within a few minutes to hours. Some reported cases are also transient, with patients completely regaining neurological function. We discuss a unique case of a patient developing conus medullaris syndrome over 24 hours after a single epidural steroid injection without resolution of symptoms.

Pre-Contrast Injection Multiple Needle Placement Technique: An Alternative Method for Performing Challenging Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections for Radicular Pain

2020 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Sanjeeva Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Injection ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Needle Placement ◽  
Contrast Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Key Words Epidural ◽  
Epidural Steroid ◽  
Placement Technique

Abstract: A subpedicular transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) at the L5-S1 level can be technically challenging due to lumbar spondylosis. As described in the cases below, in challenging cases, placing multiple needles (normally 2 needles, occasionally 3 needles) before injecting the radiocontrast dye can improve the chances of depositing the steroid in the area of pathology responsible for pain. This will, of course, add to the risk of the procedure due to multiple needles being close to the nerve root. On balance, however, it may be less risky than not placing the steroid at the appropriate pathological site, which may fail to provide pain relief leading to unnecessary suffering and, in some cases, surgical intervention. However, if the spread of contrast medium and the subsequent steroid injection through the first needle is satisfactory, then the other needles can be removed without injecting. The “pre-contrast injection multiple needle placement” technique has been used by the author on multiple occasions and 3 cases are described below. Key words: Epidural steroid injection, transforaminal epidural injection, sciatica, radicular pain, multiple needle technique

Comparison of Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection with Interlaminar Lumbar Inj. Epidural in Spinal Stenosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1877-1879
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Faheem Mubashir Farooqi ◽  
Shumaila Jabbar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Stenosis ◽  
Oswestry Disability Index ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Epidural Steroid ◽  
Caudal Epidural

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition caused by narrowing of spinal canal. Steroid injection either lumbar or caudal can improve the functional outcome and low back pain. Aim: To compare the outcome of caudal epidural steroid injection with lumbar epidural steroid injection in treating spinal stenosis in patients suffering from sciatica. Methods: In this prospective study 338 patients having low backache due to spinal stenosis with sciatica were included from June 2013 to December 2014. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I and II. Patients in Group I (160 patients) received caudal epidural steroid injections while the patients in Group II (178 patients) received lumbar epidural steroid injections. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to assess outcome of the Caudal and Lumbar steroid injections and was measured at 2 weeks, at 3months, and improvement was declared if VAS decrease ≥50% of baseline and Oswestry disability index decrease ≥40% at 3 months. Results: In group I, there were 70(43.75%) males and 90(56.25%) females, while in group II there were 98(55.1%) males and 80(44.9%) females. The mean age of the patients in group I was 46.46±10.37 (18-75 years) years and was 43.77±15.27 years (18-75 years) in group II (P=0.0619). The change in pain score (>50%) was observed in 159 (89.33%) in group II compared with 121 (75%) in group I (P=0.0008). Conclusion: Lumbar epidural of steroids injections are more effective then caudal epidural injection of steroids in treating spinal stenosis. MeSH words: Caudal epidural, Lumbar epidural, Sciatica

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.  

scholarly journals Flushing Following Interlaminar Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection with Dexamethasone

2010 ◽  
Vol 5;13 (5;9) ◽  
pp. 481-484
Author(s):  
Chong H. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Interlaminar Approach ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Epidural steroid injections are commonly used in managing radicular pain. Most complications related to epidural injections are minor and self-limited. Flushing is considered as one such minor side effect. Flushing has been studied using various steroid preparations including methylprednisone, triamcinolone, and betamethasone but its frequency has never been studied using dexamethasone. Objective: This study evaluates the frequency of flushing associated with fluoroscopyguided lumbar epidural steroid injections using dexamethasone. Study Design: Retrospective cohort design study. Patients presenting with low back pain were evaluated and offered a fluoroscopically guided lumbar epidural steroid injection using dexamethasone via an interlaminar approach as part of a conservative care treatment plan. Setting: University-based Pain Management Center. Intervention: All injections were performed consecutively over a 2-month period by one staff member using 16 mg (4 mg/mL) of dexamethasone. A staff physician specifically asked each participant about the presence of flushing following the procedure prior to discharge on the day of injection and again on follow-up within 48 hours after the injections. The answers were documented as “YES” or “NO.” Results: A total of 150 participants received fluoroscopically guided interlaminar epidural steroid injection. All participants received 16 mg (4 mg/mL) of dexamethasone with 2 mL of 0.2% ropiviciane. Overall incidence of flushing was 42 out of 150 cases (28%). Of the 42 participants who experienced flushing, 12 (28%) experienced the symptom prior to discharge following the procedure. Twenty-seven of the 42 (64%) were female (P < 0.05). All the participants who experienced flushing noted resolution by 48 hours. No other major side effects or complications were noted. Limitations: Follow-up data were solely based on subjective reports by patients via telecommunication. Follow-up time was limited to only 48 hours, which overlooks the possibility that more participants might have noted flushing after the 48 hour limit. Conclusions: Flushing is commonly reported following epidural steroid injections. With an incidence of 28%, injections using dexamethasone 16 mg by interlaminar epidural route appear to be associated with more flushing reaction than previously reported with other steroid preparations. Additionally, female participants are more likely to experience flushing though the reactions seem to be self-limiting with resolution by 48 hours. Key words: flushing, side effects, epidural, back pain, lumbar, steroid, dexamethasone, injections.

scholarly journals Concordant Pressure Paresthesia During Interlaminar Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections Correlates with Pain Relief in Patients with Unilateral Radicular Pain

2013 ◽  
Vol 5;16 (5;9) ◽  
pp. 497-511
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Candido
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Radicular Pain ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Interlaminar Approach ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background: Transforaminal and interlaminar epidural steroid injections are commonly used interventional pain management procedures in the treatment of radicular low back pain. Even though several studies have shown that transforaminal injections provide enhanced short-term outcomes in patients with radicular and low back pain, they have also been associated with a higher incidence of unintentional intravascular injection and often dire consequences than have interlaminar injections. Objectives: We compared 2 different approaches, midline and lateral parasagittal, of lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection (LESI) in patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathic pain. We also tested the role of concordant pressure paresthesia occurring during LESI as a prognostic factor in determining the efficacy of LESI. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Setting: Pain management center, part of a teaching-community hospital in a major metropolitan US city. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, 106 patients undergoing LESI for radicular low back pain were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups (53 patients each) based on approach: midline interlaminar (MIL) and lateral parasagittal interlaminar (PIL). Patients were asked to grade any pressure paresthesia as occurring ipsilaterally or contralaterally to their “usual and customary pain,” or in a distribution atypical of their daily pain. Other variables such as: the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire, pain scores at rest and during movement, use of pain medications, etc. were recorded 20 minutes before the procedure, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 120, 180 and 365 after the injection. Results: Results of this study showed statistically and clinically significant pain relief in patients undergoing LESI by both the MIL and PIL approaches. Patients receiving LESI using the lateral parasagittal approach had statistically and clinically longer pain relief then patients receiving LESI via a midline approach. They also had slightly better quality of life scores and improvement in everyday functionality; they also used less pain medications than patients receiving LESI using a midline approach. Furthermore, patients in the PIL group described significantly higher rates of concordant moderate-to-severe pressure paresthesia in the distributions of their “usual and customary pain” compared to the MIL group. In addition, patients who had concordant pressure paresthesia and no discordant pressure paresthesia (i.e., “opposite side or atypical”) during interventional treatment had better and longer pain relief after LESI. Two patients from each group required discectomy surgery in the one-year observation period. Limitations: The major limitation of this study is that we did not include a transforaminal epidural steroid injection group, since that is one of the approaches still commonly used in contemporary pain practices for the treatment of low back pain with unilateral radicular pain. Conclusions: This study showed that the lateral parasagittal interlaminar approach was more effective than the midline interlaminar approach in targeting low back pain with unilateral radicular pain secondary to degenerative lumbar disc disease. It also showed that pressure paresthesia occurring ipsilaterally during an LESI correlates with pain relief and may therefore be used as a prognostic factor. Key words: lumbar epidural steroid injection, interlaminar injection, low back pain, unilateral radicular pain, midline interlaminar approach, lateral parasagittal interlaminar approach, pressure paresthesia, quality of life, everyday functionality

scholarly journals Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Potentially Catastrophic Outcome after Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection

2008 ◽  
Vol 5;11 (10;5) ◽  
pp. 693-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas T. Simopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Spinal Stenosis ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injection ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid

Background and Objective: Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to palliate the symptoms of spinal stenosis. Deep tissue infection is a known potential complication of these injections. There have been no previous published cases of osteomyelitis without epidural abscess after such injections. We present a case in an elderly patient who presented only with persistent axial low back pain following a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI). We emphasize early patient evaluation, consideration of infectious predisposing factors, sterile technique, and skin disinfectant. Design: Open-label case report. Case description: A 77-year-old diabetic male with a history of radicular pain related to lumbar spinal stenosis was treated successfully several years prior with a series of lumbar epidural steroid injections (LESI) and was re-treated with LESIs for recurrent symptoms. Following his second epidural injection, he presented with back pain and induration at the injection site without fever or neurological deficits. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a soft tissue abscess extending close to the epidural space around the corresponding L4/L5 vertebral level. The patient recovered after incision and drainage of the abscess which was associated with an osteomyelitis of the L4 and L5 vertebral spine. The causative organism was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that even with proper aseptic techniques, immune-compromised patients who are colonized with an aggressive micro-organism may develop a potentially catastrophic infectious complication if subtle persistent symptomatic complaints are not promptly and carefully evaluated. Key words: osteomyelitis, epidural steroid injection, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

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