Outcome of single level disc prolapse treated with transforaminal steroid versus epidural steroid versus caudal steroids.

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of fluoroscopic guided transforaminal steroid versus interlaminar epidural steroid versus caudal steroid. A total of 90 patients were studied who had complains of low back pain with radiculopathy and MRI evidence of disc prolapse. Out of this group, patients were randomly assigned to three groups each having 30 patients. First group received transforaminal steroid injection, second group received caudal steroid injection, and third group received epidural steroid. All patients were followed up for 12 months, and the results were compared using change in Visual Analogue Scale score and Oswestry Disability Index (OSD). The change in pain scores was statistically different at 1- and 6-month interval such that a higher change was observed by transforaminal route as compared to the other two. There was no difference in change of scores between interlaminar and caudal routes. For OSD, a greater change was seen in transforminal at all times as compared to the other two. There was no difference in change of scores between interlaminar and caudal routes at any time of assessment. In current study, transforaminal steroid injection group has better symptomatic improvement for both short and long term as compared to interlaminar and caudal steroid injection group.