Bilateral Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2014-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The most common forms of injection used for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal
stenosis (DLSS) patients with neurogenic claudication (NC) are the caudal and inter-laminar
epidural injections of anesthetic and steroid. Unilateral transforaminal epidural steroid
injections (TESI) are also used to alleviate patients' symptoms of NC from DLSS, particularly
in patients whose level of stenosis is L4-5 or higher. However, these unilateral injections
do not cross the midline, so in cases of lower extremity pain and symptoms on both sides, a
bilateral TESI would probably be more beneficial.
To date, there have not been any well designed prospective studies to determine the
effectiveness of bilateral TESI below the level of stenosis in DLSS patients with NC.
Therefore, the goal of this prospective, non-randomized case-series outcome study is to
evaluate the effectiveness of BTESI in alleviating symptoms of NC, as well as improving
function in patients with DLSS. The hypothesis is that BTESI at the level below the most
stenotic segment of the central canal of the lumbar spine decreases symptoms of NC and
improves function in patients with DLSS.