Efficacy Of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in Lumbar Radicular Pain
Journal of Pain Research, cilt.19, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 19
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.2147/jpr.s618013
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Pain Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: lumbar radicular pain, transforaminal epidural steroid injection, interventional pain management
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection therapy in patients with radicular low back pain that had not been alleviated by conservative management strategies. Methods: This study included 252 patients with radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation who failed conservative treatment. This is a retrospective cohort study. Participants (aged 18–90) underwent C-arm fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) using a subpedicular approach. Pain severity and functional status were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks, and 3 months post-procedure using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Statistical analysis focused on sociodemographic characteristics and longitudinal changes in VAS and ODI scores. Results: Out of 252 patients, 221 completed the full 3-month follow-up (mean age 54.5 ± 14.1 years; 57.5% female). The median symptom duration was 5 months, and the most frequent injection levels were L4-5 (51.1%) and L5-S1 (48.4%). Significant improvements were observed in both pain (VAS) and functional status (ODI) at the 2-week and 3-month months (p < 0.001). At the 3-month follow-up, treatment success (defined as >50%improvement) was achieved in 64.3% of patients for pain at rest, 57.5% for pain during movement, and 74.2% for nocturnal pain. Additionally, 55.7% of patients demonstrated a significant reduction in disability according to ODI scores. Conclusion: TFESI is an effective non-operative treatment intervention that provides significant mid-term pain reduction and functional improvement in a substantial proportion of patients with lumbar radiculopathy. The low rate of surgical conversion suggests its value as a key alternative to surgery. Clinical Trials Number: NCT07538765.