Transforaminal Versus Lateralized Interlaminar Cervical Epidurals

Comparison of Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Corticosteroid Injections With Lateralized Interlaminar Epidural Corticosteroid Injections for Treatment of Cervicogenic Upper Extremity Radiculopathy

The purpose of this study is to compare two methods of giving epidural steroid injections for nerve pain in the arm that comes from the neck. An epidural steroid injection can be given in two different ways, either in the back of the spine within the neck or in the neck next to the nerve root going to the arm. Both are standard medical treatments. The investigators would like to see how effective these treatments are, and if there are any differences in effectiveness or safety between these two routes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Unilateral cervicogenic upper extremity radiculopathy (with or without accompanying neck pain)
• Baseline numerical pain scale (NRS) score > 4

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent (i.e., < 2 months) cervical spine surgery
• Recent (i.e., < 1 month) cervical epidural or upper extremity corticosteroid injection
• Contraindication or inability to the undergo procedure
• Inability to provide informed consent
• Expected inability to complete follow-up assessment
• Contraindication to receiving contrast material (precluding an epidurogram)