Effectiveness of Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection
Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Spondylosis, Disk, Herniated
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Cervical Radiculopathy focused on measuring Transforaminal Epidural Injection
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients aged 18-80 capable of understanding and providing consent in English and capable of complying with the outcome instruments used.
- Arm pain or shoulder girdle pain/periscapular pain with or without neck pain with duration less than or equal to 6 months.
- 3-day average numeric pain rating score (NRS) for arm pain or shoulder girdle/periscapular pain of at least 4/10 at baseline evaluation, with neck pain score not exceeding arm and/or shoulder girdle/periscapular pain score.
- MRI (or CT if MRI not available) shows either a one level cervical disc herniation, disc osteophyte complex or degenerative foraminal stenosis, corresponding in side and location with predominately unilateral radicular pain, with or without neurological deficits. MRI may show degenerative changes at other levels.
- Patient consents to treatment with epidural injection in a shared decision-making process with the treating physician.
- Pain duration of at least 6 weeks or more.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Those receiving remuneration for their pain treatment (e.g., disability, worker's compensation).
- Those involved in active litigation relevant to their pain.
- The patient is incarcerated.
- Neck pain is greater than arm pain or shoulder girdle/periscapular pain.
- Bilateral radicular signs/symptoms (< 90% laterality of pain intensity, or bilateral neurological signs).
- BMI>35.
- Prior epidural steroid injections for treatment of current episode.
- Those unable to read English and complete the assessment instruments.
- Spondylolisthesis at the involved or adjacent segments.
- Systemic inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid, lupus).
- Addictive behavior, severe clinical depression, or psychotic features.
- Possible pregnancy or other reason that precludes the use of fluoroscopy.
- Treatment of infection with antibiotics within the past 7 days.
- Progressive motor deficit and/or clinical signs of myelopathy.
- History of prior cervical spine surgery.
- Medical conditions causing significant functional disability (e.g., stroke, COPD)
Sites / Locations
- University of Utah
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Other
Cervical Pain for 6 months or less and scheduled for TFESI
Participants who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria will be enrolled into the study after consenting to and before receiving a first cervical TFESI. The baseline examination and all baseline questionnaires will be completed within 2 weeks before the first cervical TFESI. Participants will be given a daily pain diary chart to record NRS and percentage improvement during the 1st month post-injection. Participants will be contacted in the 1st week post-injection with a standardized questionnaire about their symptoms and a reminder about the 4 week (+/- 1 week) post-injection follow up. Routine scheduled follow-up by clinic visit or telephone call will occur at 4 weeks (+/- 1 week), 8 weeks (+/- 2 weeks), 3 months (+/- 2 weeks), 6 months (+/- 1 month), and 12 months (+/- 1 month), at which times all follow-up measures will be obtained.