The Value of Short-term Pain Relief for the Prediction of Long-term Outcome After Cervical or Lumbar Nerve Root Infiltration

Inclusion Criteria: * Symptomatic (pain) one-level cervical (C3-C8) or lumbar (L1-S1) radiculopathy with radiological evidence of discal nerve root compression * Minimum VAS of 20/100 * Age between 18 - 70 years Exclusion Criteria: * Multilevel disc herniations with multiple symptomatic nerve root compressions * Higher motor deficits (Paresis M 0-3 of a peripheral muscle) * Age \< 18 or \> 70 years * Pregnancy * Allergic reaction against steroids or local anaesthetic * Bleeding disorder (Tc \< 100.000/ul, Quick \<50%, INR \> 1.5, abnormal PTT) * Known bleeding diathesis * Continued anticoagulants (Warfarin = Marcoumar must be bridged with low- or high-molecular heparin; commonly, intake of Aspirin or Clopidogrel is no contraindication for infiltration therapy but is routinely paused when possible) * Pseudoradicular pain (e.g. in facet arthrosis, iliosacral arthrosis...) - as evaluated to the best of the knowledge of the admitting physician and radiologist performing the infiltration * Osseous spinal or foraminal stenosis * Myelopathy * Severe scoliosis * Active neoplasm * History of spinal infection / spondylodiscitis * History of spinal surgery or previous infiltration therapy on the currently painful segment * Rheumatic disease