The Effectiveness of Thoracal Epidural Steroid and Local Anesthetic Injection
The Effectiveness of Thoracal Epidural Steroid and Local Anesthetic Injection
The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic interlaminar epidural injections in alleviating pain and enhancing function in patients suffering from chronic mid and/or upper back pain.
Materials and Methods One hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups, each consisting of 50 patients. Group I received only a local anesthetic, while Group II received a combination of local anesthetic and steroids. The random assignment to either Group I or Group II was determined using a simple computer-generated sequence.
Outcomes were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the revised Oswestry Disability Index (rODI). Patients who showed significant improvement for more than four weeks after the first two procedures were deemed successful. Those who did not were classified as failed participants. Significant improvement was defined as a reduction of more than 50% in both NRS and rODI scores, with assessments conducted at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.
The center where the study was conducted: Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Division of Algology, Ankara, Turkey
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: