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Epidural steroid injections effective in treating lumbar radicular pain

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Single lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections were found to be clinically effective in treating lumbar radicular pain, according to a presenter here.

Previously, single lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) were found to be effective in small trials for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain, but no observational trial had more than 250 participants, and all explanatory trials had fewer than 100 participants in active treatment, Timothy P. Maus, MD, explained during his presentation at the International Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting.

Maus and colleagues analyzed the results of 2,024 patients who underwent single lumbar TFESIs at the L4-5, L5-S1 or S1 neural foramina. Assessments were performed prior to injection and again at 2 weeks and 2 months using a pain numerical rating scale and the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire.

The researchers found statistically significant reductions in mean pain numerical rating scale and Roland-Morris Disability scores at 2 weeks and 2 months postinjection. A greater proportion of responders were seen for both pain and functional recovery when there were fewer than 3 months of pain, with 62.4% seen for the numerical rating scale and 59.3% for the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, according to Maus.

“Lumbar transforaminals are an effective treatment for radicular pain, with or without radiculopathy,” he said. “Subjects with lesser durations of pain prior to injection are more likely to experience significant reductions of pain and functional improvement after transforaminals.”

Reference: Maus TP. Clinical Effectiveness of Single Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections. Presented at: International Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting; July 30-Aug. 3, 2014; Orlando, Fla.

Disclosures: Maus has no relevant financial disclosures.