Short-term effect of lumbar transformational epidural steroid injection in degenerative lumbar stenosis

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection in treatment of degenerative lumbar stenosis.Methods: Between Apr.2007 and Jan.2009,we treated 20 patients consistent with the criteria of lumbar spinal stenosis by transforaminal epidural steroid injection through lateral-posterior,and all subjects were observed and evaluated with visual analogue scales(VAS) and oswestry disability index(ODI) before the intervention,respective one week and one month after the treatment for pain relief and function improvement.Results: Twenty patients underwent fluoroscopically guided lumbar transformational epidural steroid injections successfully and had no occurrence of complications.General pain relief was obtained in 15 of 20 and significant relief in 5 of 20.VAS were(8.4±0.94)before the intervention against postoperative(1.9±0.79),P0.001.Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural steroid injections may be effective to relieve the low back pain from degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and improve the standing and walking tolerance in the patients with such disorder.