Cervical Retrolaminar Block Versus Cervical Epidural Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy (NCT07275320) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Cervical Retrolaminar Block Versus Cervical Epidural Injection for Cervical Radiculopathy
Turkey (Türkiye)70 participantsStarted 2024-12-05
Plain-language summary
Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical condition, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 individuals each year, and is typically characterized by neck pain radiating to the upper extremities. Although about 90% of patients respond to conservative treatment, cervical epidural steroid injection is widely used as an interventional alternative to surgery in those with symptoms refractory to conservative management. However, concerns regarding the safety of cervical epidural steroid injection have increased in recent years. Ultrasound-guided cervical retrolaminar block, which does not require entry into the neuraxial space, is considered a theoretically safer technique.
In this prospective, randomized study, 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy refractory to conservative treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either ultrasound-guided cervical retrolaminar block (n = 35) or fluoroscopy-guided cervical epidural steroid injection (n = 35). The study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of these two interventional approaches.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients with a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
* Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score ≥ 5 and an elevated Neck Disability Index (NDI) score.
* Age between 18 and 80 years.
* Patients without motor weakness or clinical signs of myelopathy.
* Patients who did not respond to conservative treatments such as analgesics, physical therapy, or traction.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients who do not provide informed consent or who have coagulopathy.
* Patients with a known allergy to the study medications, organ failure, pregnancy, or lactation.
* Patients with infection in the cervical spine or surrounding tissues, or those with rheumatologic, neurologic, or neuromuscular diseases.
* Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery or with shoulder/peripheral nerve pathology that may confound the diagnosis.
* Patients using neuropathic pain medications (such as pregabalin or gabapentin) or those with a cardiac pacemaker.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At baseline and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the procedure.