Effect of supraneural transforaminal epidural steroid injection combined with caudal epidural steroid injection with catheter in chronic radicular pain management: Double blinded randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: Epidural steroid injection (ESI) has been used in managing chronic radicular pain. Regarding various techniques of ESI, the synergistic effect of caudal ESI (CESI) on transforaminal ESI (TFESI) in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain in prospective randomized controlled trial has not been determined. Methods:  A total of 54 eligible patients with lumbosacral radicular pain were randomly allocated to undergo TFESI plus CESI (TC group) or TFESI alone (T group).  The effective response to treatment was predefined by at least a 30% reduced verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) from baseline between group comparison and the functional outcomes as measured by improved Oswestry Disability Index by least 15 points from baseline. All participants were evaluated using a single blinded outcome assessor before the  procedure and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure. P <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results:  Average VNRS reduced significantly from baseline after receiving procedure at 1, 3 and 6 months in both groups (P-value <0.05). The TC group exhibited more effective and showed significant pain relief compared with the T group at 3 months (P=0.01). However, no statistical difference was observed between sub group analysis in pain relief and insignificant difference between group comparisons of functional outcomes. Conclusions: A treatment combining TFESI and CESI showed significant pain relief over TFESI alone at 3 months. No effect was found concerning functional evaluation. Registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry ID TCTR20171101002 01/11/2017F