The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) in patients with radicular low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation who did not improve with conservative treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: How effective is TFESI in reducing pain and improving physical function over a three-month period? Can this procedure serve as a viable alternative to surgery for patients with persistent radiculopathy? Participants aged 18 to 90 underwent image-guided injections and were monitored for three months. Researchers tracked changes in their pain levels (using the Visual Analog Scale) and their ability to perform daily activities (using the Oswestry Disability Index) to determine the treatment's success.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
221
TFESI procedure was performed under sterile conditions, and the injection area was sterilized with povidone-iodine and a sterile drape was laid. To visualize the foramen, the fluoroscopy unit was rotated cranially and obliquely at an angle between 5 and 20 degrees, and 1% lidocaine was injected subcutaneously as a local anesthetic. A Quincke 90mm 22 gauge spinal needle was inserted under the intermittent guidance of fluoroscopy. The needle was advanced into the subpedicular space, proceeding along the path corresponding to the 6 o'clock position. Needle placement was confirmed with a lateral fluoroscopic image.
Ankara City Hospital
Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual analog scale
(VAS: 0-10)
Time frame: baseline, the 2nd weeks, and the 3rd months
functional status,
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
Time frame: baseline, the 2nd weeks, and the 3rd months
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