Steroid injection led to radicular pain relief in minority of patients with cervical disc herniation

ORLANDO, Fla. — A study presented at the International Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting, here, showed only about one third of patients with disc herniation or spondylosis will benefit from cervical transforaminal injection of steroids.

Stephan Klessinger, MD, of Ulm, Germany, said 48 patients with cervical radicular pain who had an MRI that demonstrated the nerve roots were affected were included in the study. All the patients received cervical transforaminal injection of steroids for pain management.

Of these patients, 35.4% reported a reduction in their radicular pain of at least 50% at the 1 month follow-up.

Stephan Klessinger

However, the study showed MRI could not predict favorable outcomes in patients receiving the therapy, Klessinger said.

“We can conclude that there are some patients who might benefit from certain transforaminals; and one of three patients might benefit. There is a chance of pain reduction and avoidance of surgery, as well,” he said.

Klessinger concluded the treatment has advantages for certain patients to reduce radicular pain from disc herniation or spondylosis with a proven nerve root compression, but the potential benefits have to be weighed against the risks of the procedure and the chances of its efficacy. – by Robert Linnehan

Reference:

Klessinger S. Response to transforaminal injection of steroids and correlation to MRI findings in patients with cervical radicular pain or radiculopathy due to disc herniation or spondylosis. Presented at: International Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting; July 30-Aug. 3, 2014; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosure: Klessinger has no relevant financial disclosures.

North American Spine Society Annual Meeting

Steroid injection led to radicular pain relief in minority of patients with cervical disc herniation