The Effect of Epidural Injection for Spinal Stenosis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of epidural injection for spinal stenosis with symptoms of low back pain, pseudoclaudication, or radiating pain. METHOD: Thirteen patients with spinal stenosis which were confirmed by the computed tomography (CT) studies were treated with epidural injections of steroids and local anesthetics for three times with 1 week interval. The efficacy of epidural injection was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), pain rating score (PRS), treadmill test, and jump test. RESULTS: 1) The VAS, PRS, pain free walking distances, and jump heights were checked right before injection, and at 1 week and 3 months after injection. The VAS and PRS were significantly decreased after epidural injection. The pain free walking distances and the jump heights were significantly increased after epidural injecton. CONCLUSION: Epidural injections of steroid and local anesthetics are effective in the short term period, but also in the long term period for patients with spinal stenosis.