Effectiveness of Selective Nerve Root Block for the Treatment of Single-Segment Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the therapeutic effectiveness of selective nerve root block performed for single-segment spinal stenosis and disc herniation. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW The usefulness of selective nerve root block has been reported in several previous studies, but those results were aggregated across many diseases, making it difficult to estimate its effectiveness for each disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2013, among patients who had undergone selective nerve root block, those who were diagnosed with single-segment spinal stenosis or disc herniation were enrolled in this study. Among a total of 103 patients, 47 spinal stenosis patients were classified as group 1, and 56 disc herniation patients as group 2. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Kim's criteria were used to compare the reductions in radiating pain in each group. RESULTS: In group 1, the VAS scores improved from 7.6 before the procedure to 2.6 and 3.3 at 1-month and 6-month follow-up visits, respectively. Kim's criteria also improved from a mean of 1.6 before the procedure to 2.9 at the 6-month follow-up. In group 2, the VAS scores improved from 7.8 before the procedure to 2.1 and 2.7 at 1-month and 6-month follow-up visits, respectively. Kim's criteria also improved from a mean of 1.8 before the procedure to 3.2 at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Radiating pain in the lower limb due to spinal stenosis or disc herniation limited to a single segment was effectively controlled by selective nerve root block.