Efficacy of interlaminar epidural steroid injection for the treatment of lumbar disk prolapse

Abstract

Background: Degenerative lumbar spine disease is a common cause of debilitating low back pain often associated with radiculopathy and attendant limb weakness. Several nonoperative treatment modalities have been proposed. Of these, epidural steroid injection has been proffered as a treatment modality to patients not responding to other noninvasive treatment plans. Subjects and Methods: This is a retrospective study analyzing the efficacy of patients with lumbar disk prolapse who received interlaminar epidural steroid injection. The injectate was made up of 80 mg of methylprednisolone and 2 mL of plain bupivacaine. Result: Out of 42 patients, there were 25 males and 17 females. The mean preinjection Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was 60.83 ± 7.48, whereas the mean postinjection ODI score at 1 and 6 weeks, respectively, was 34.76 ± 10.06 and 35.60 ± 14.15, respectively; this was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Interlaminar epidural steroid injection is an effective treatment modality in patients with symptomatic lumbar disk prolapse.