COMPARISON OF THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF TRANSFORAMINAL AND INTERLAMINAR EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery, cilt.36, sa.4, ss.154-160, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 36 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/jtss.galenos.2025.97769
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.154-160
- Anahtar Kelimeler: DN4, epidural steroid, interlaminar injection, Lumbar disc herniation, ODI, pain management, transforaminal injection, VAS
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) techniques on pain management, functional improvement, and neuropathic pain in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort included 124 patients who underwent epidural steroid injections between 2024 and 2025. Patients were divided into two groups according to the injection technique: TFESI and ILESI. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), functional status with the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and neuropathic pain with the douleur neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire. Patient satisfaction and injection-related complications were comprehensively reported. Assessments were performed at baseline and at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th months post-injection. Results: In the TFESI group, VAS, ODI, and DN4 scores demonstrated significant reductions at all follow-up points (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction was notably higher in the TFESI group. Complication rates remained low in both groups, with no statistically significant difference (p=1.000). Conclusion: In patients with LDH, TFESI provides greater pain relief and functional improvement compared to the interlaminar approach. While both methods are safe, the transforaminal technique appears to be a more effective and targeted treatment option.