Conditions: Spinal Stenosis, Lumbar Region, With Neurogenic Claudication
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 26
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief 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.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: a prospective, non-randomized, case series investigating bilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injections (BTESI)

Interventions: intervention 1: bilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: BTESI with local anesthetic and steroid, and the use of x-ray contrast, under fluoroscopy guidance performed by the PI. 10mg of dexamethasone (1cc) mixed with 1cc of 2% preservative-free xylocaine (lidocaine) will be injected on each side of the stenotic segment under fluoroscopic guidance after confirming epidural x-ray contrast (1-2cc) spread right before the steroid mixed with local anesthetic injection. The injection may be repeated, but not before 2 weeks after the first injection.

Protocol document: