The goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) in patients with radicular low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation who did not improve with conservative treatment.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
How effective is TFESI in reducing pain and improving physical function over a three-month period?
Can this procedure serve as a viable alternative to surgery for patients with persistent radiculopathy?
Participants aged 18 to 90 underwent image-guided injections and were monitored for three months. Researchers tracked changes in their pain levels (using the Visual Analog Scale) and their ability to perform daily activities (using the Oswestry Disability Index) to determine the treatment's success.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 90 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:
* Between 18 and 90 years,
* Presence of Low Back Pain with unilateral or bilateral pain radiating to the lower extremity,
* Duration of symptoms for at least three months and unresponsive to conservative management,
* Evidence of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation confirmed by MRI within the last six months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Prior lumbar ESI within 3 months,
* History of polyneuropathy or entrapment neuropathy,
* Presence of bleeding diathesis,
* Systemic or local infections,
* Having systemic and rheumatic diseases associated with peripheral nerve involvement.
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
Visual analog scale
Timeframe: baseline, the 2nd weeks, and the 3rd months