Therapeutic role of Trans - foraminal nerve root block in management of lumbar radiculopathy

Author(s): Dr. AR Narayanan and Dr. L Ponnappan

Abstract: Treatment of Acute Lumbar Radicular pain has many controversies. While pure mechanical compression was considered previously as a source of sciatica, there is increasing evidence that chemical irritation of the nerve root plays an essential and perhaps even more important role. Trans foraminal selective nerve root block is an approved method for management of radicular pain. The aim of our study was to conduct a prospective study, 1. To assess the adequacy of relief provided by trans-foraminal Nerve Root Block for Lumbar Radicular pain. 2. To determine the effectiveness of selective (trans-foraminal) nerve root injection in diagnosis and treatment of patients with Lumbar radiculopathy. 28 patients with radicular pain involving single nerve root were selected. Trans-foraminal selective nerveroot block was done as per standard technique. Results were analyzed using VAS Score & RMDQ Score. Analyzing results showed that 89.3% patients had improvement. RMDQ score were reduced by 61% by end of 6 months. 18 patients (85.7%) who are on more than 6 months of follow up are able to do their daily activities without difficulty. We conclude by our study that, the trans-foraminal nerve root block combined with careful history, physical examination and quality radiolographic studies, is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with predominant Lumbar radicular symptoms.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2019.v5.i2e.27