Role of simultaneous bilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injections in patients with prior lumbar fusions or laminectomies: A retrospective case series

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ObjectiveThe goal of this study is to assess the clinical effectiveness and prognostic potential of simultaneous bilateral lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in patients with bilateral radicular back pain with previous history of lumbar laminectomy and/or fusion surgery. DesignRetrospective case series. SettingSingle physiatrist in an academic setting. Subjects23 patients with previous lumbar surgery who received bilateral TFESIs. MethodsCumulative bilateral radicular back pain was assessed with a pain numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10) prior to receiving bilateral TFESI and at minimum 2 weeks follow-up. Responders included patients who experienced any NRS pain reduction post-procedure and non-responders were patients who reported no change in pain. A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was defined as NRS change ≥2.0 to identify the proportion of responders who experienced a clinically significant reduction in pain. Other outcome measures included subsequent repeat bilateral TFESI, operations at the level of injections, and operative outcomes of these patients. ResultsThere was a statistically significant (P ​< ​0.0001) reduction of 2.2 in mean NRS at average 3.7 weeks follow-up. With the MCID defined as NRS pain reduction ≥2, 13 of 16 responders (56%; CI 36.8–74.4%) achieved a clinically significant reduction in pain. Nine patients (39.1%) went on to receive repeat bilateral TFESIs and 9 patients (39.1%) underwent surgical interventions involving the same spinal level as the injections. Eight of the 9 patients who underwent repeat bilateral TFESIs met follow-up criteria and each responded to repeat injections with an average NRS pain reduction of 2.2. Of the 9 surgical patients, 5 responded to the previous injections and each reported improvements in pain and function after their operations (PPV ​= ​100%). Of the 4 surgical patients who were non-responders to the injections, 2 reported improvements in pain and function post-operatively and the remaining 2 reported no change or worsening outcomes (NPV ​= ​50%). ConclusionThis study suggests bilateral TFESIs are clinically effective in short-term management of bilateral radicular back pain in patients with previous lumbar surgery, and they reveal potential prognostic information for subsequent surgical intervention.