US vs FL-Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Injections (NCT07627308) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
US vs FL-Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Injections
Egypt64 participantsStarted 2026-06-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ultrasound-guided nerve root injections work as well as fluoroscopy (X-ray)-guided injections to treat lower back and leg pain caused by irritated nerves (lumbosacral radiculopathy) in adults aged 18 to 75 years old.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does ultrasound guidance lower pain as effectively as fluoroscopy guidance after 3 months?
* Does one method help participants recover their ability to do daily activities better than the other?
* Are ultrasound-guided injections as fast and safe for participants as fluoroscopy-guided injections? Researchers will compare ultrasound-guided nerve root injections to fluoroscopy-guided nerve root injections to see if ultrasound works to treat the pain just as well while allowing participants to avoid radiation exposure.
Participants will:
* Receive one targeted nerve injection of medication (a steroid and numbing medicine) in their lower back using either ultrasound or fluoroscopy to guide the needle.
* Stay at the clinic for 30 to 60 minutes after the procedure so researchers can check their safety.
* Attend checkups at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months to answer survey questions about their pain levels and daily functioning.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 75 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:
* Adults aged 18 to 75 years.
* Clinical diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy characterized by radicular pain, paresthesia, or weakness in a dermatomal distribution.
* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-confirmed nerve root compression due to disc herniation or foraminal stenosis.
* Failure to respond to at least 3 months of conservative medical treatment.
* Radiculopathy affecting the L4, L5, or combined L5-S1 levels (where the primary symptomatic level can be reliably targeted)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Isolated S1 radiculopathy.
* Significant spinal deformities, including scoliosis \>20° or spondylolisthesis \>Grade II.
* History of prior lumbar spine surgery.
* Bleeding disorders (International Normalized Ratio \[INR\] \>2.5).
* Severe uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c \>8%).
* Advanced cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease.
* Active systemic infection or localized infection at the injection site.
* Known allergies to corticosteroids or local anesthetics.
* Presence of progressive neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome.
* Peripheral neuropathies mimicking radiculopathy.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Severe psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment affecting study compliance.
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.