A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Lumbar Steroid Injection in Kambin’s Triangle Versus Conventional Transforaminal Approach for the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain: A Prospective Randomised Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Low back pain is a very troublesome and common issue among patients irrespective of age and sex and is very difficult to manage with conservative management. It can lead to disability and mental issues. Methods: After ethical committee approval, a prospective, randomised, double-blind comparative study on 40 patients aged 20-70 years, suffering from lumbar radicular pain was carried out by two different approaches i.e., conventional transforaminal and Kambin’s triangle approach and epidural steroids were administered. Change in pain intensity using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale was recorded as our primary outcome. Change in functional status using Oswestry Disability Index and Patient Satisfaction Score were our secondary outcomes. Any adverse event, complication, failure was also noted. Results: Multiple logistic regression showed no difference in pain relief or improvement of functional status due to variable differences like the age, sex, disc level or the type of approach. Conclusion: Both approaches of transforaminal epidural steroid injection were effective in reducing pain and increasing functional status significantly. There was no significant difference in their effectiveness and neither was superior to the other. Keywords: Low back pain, transforaminal approach, Kambin’s triangle approach