Efficacy of Epidural Neuroplasty Versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for the Radiating Pain Caused by a Herniated Lumbar Disc.
10.5535/arm.2013.37.6.824
- Author:
Hae Jong KIM
1
;
Byeong Cheol RIM
;
Jeong Wook LIM
;
Noh Kyoung PARK
;
Tae Wook KANG
;
Min Kyun SOHN
;
Jaewon BEOM
;
Sangkuk KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sun General Hospital, Daejeon, Korea. rmactksk@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epidural neuroplasty;
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection;
Radiating pain;
Herniated lumbar disc
- MeSH:
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Spine
- From:Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
2013;37(6):824-831
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To compare the treatment effects of epidural neuroplasty (NP) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for the radiating pain caused by herniated lumbar disc. METHODS: Thirty-two patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc through magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography were included in this study. Fourteen patients received an epidural NP and eighteen patients had a TFESI. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional rating index (FRI) were measured before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: In the epidural NP group, the mean values of the VAS before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment were 7.00+/-1.52, 4.29+/-1.20, 2.64+/-0.93, 1.43+/-0.51 and those of FRI were 23.57+/-3.84, 16.50+/-3.48, 11.43+/-2.44, 7.00+/-2.15. In the TFESI group, the mean values of the VAS before the treatment, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment were 7.22+/-2.05, 4.28+/-1.67, 2.56+/-1.04, 1.33+/-0.49 and those of FRI were 22.00+/-6.64, 16.22+/-5.07, 11.56+/-4.18, 8.06+/-1.89. During the follow-up period, the values of VAS and FRI within each group were significantly reduced (p<0.05) after the treatment. But there were no significant differences between the two groups statistically. CONCLUSION: Epidural NP and TFESI are equally effective treatments for the reduction of radiating pain and for improvement of function in patients with a herniated lumbar disc. We recommend that TFESI should be primarily applied to patients who need interventional spine treatment, because it is easier and more cost-effective than epidural NP.
