ABSTRACT
Introduction: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on epidural steroid injection treatment in elderly patients and to inform our colleagues to take possible precautions concerning treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, patients who received lumbar epidural steroid injections between January 2019 and March 2021 were included in the study. The procedures performed between January 2019 and January 2020 before the pandemic were classified as Group A, and those performed during the pandemic period between March 2020 and March 2021 were classified as Group B. Demographic data, baseline pain scores, and waiting times for procedures and medical treatments in both groups were compared. Results: There were 186 and 81 patients in groups A and B, respectively. The mean age was 74 in Group B and 73 in Group A. Lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation were the most common diagnoses in both groups. The waiting time for epidural steroid injection was 39.4 days (0–160) in group B and 23.4 days (0–149) in group A. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of medical treatment for neuropathic pain. Conclusions: COVID-19 has caused a significant decrease and delay in the number of epidural procedures related to lower back pain in elderly patients. In the future, this decrease may create a burden on the health system. However, more observational and prospective studies are needed to inform our colleagues about the possible effects of COVID-19 on the elderly.