Abstract
Epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a nonsurgical pain management procedure that can reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation in individuals with cervical or lumbar pain. It is common for cervical or lumbar pain to diffuse throughout the body’s extremities causing pain that can impact the individual’s activities of daily living (ADLs). PURPOSE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an ESI on individuals with cervical or lumbar radiculopathy to determine if the injection helps reduce pain during ADLs. METHODS: Patients experiencing cervical or lumbar radiculopathy were evaluated by the physician to identify candidates for ESI. Twenty-four patients who were candidates for ESI volunteered to participate, average age 28.8±8.9 years. They completed the consent form and a survey about their pain level during ADLs. Patients received the ESI and returned for a follow up visit approximately 2 weeks after the injection to complete the survey again. The survey asked participants to rate their pain on a standardized pain scale of 0 to10. The ADL survey was modified from the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to include questions about pain intensity, sitting, standing, lifting, sleeping, and walking. This modified version of the ODI was the standard survey used at the clinic where data was collected. RESULTS: The ESI reduced pain levels pre- to post-injection using the standard 0-10 numerical pain scale (6.5±1.7 vs 2.4±2.0, p < .001). Pain levels were reduced for the ADL survey for all categories except for lifting (p=.114). Pain intensity was reduced from 3.6±1.4 to 2.0±1.2, p < 0.01. Pain while standing was reduced from 2.8±1.5 to 1.7±1.0, p < .001. Pain while sleeping was reduced 3.1±1.2 to 1.8±.8, p < .001. Pain while sitting was reduced 2.5±1.5 to 1.7±1.0, p=.002. Pain while walking was reduced from 2.0±1.3 to 1.2±.7, p < .001. CONCLUSION: The ESI treatment reduced overall pain level and pain during ADLs for patients with cervical and lumbar radiculopathy. ESI may be a treatment option patients can consider to reduce pain, which may allow for a better quality of life. The reduction of pain may also allow the patients to participate in rehab exercises to improve their overall condition.
Recommended Citation
Mitchell, Sarah M. and Cox, Raquesha D.
(2026)
"The Effects of an Epidural Steroid Injection on Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 242.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/242