Southeastern European medical journal
Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression versus Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Lumbar Radicular Pain: The Role of Disc Herniation–Nerve Root Contact
By Dino Budrovac, Sonja Škiljić, Hrvoje Vinković and 7 others.
Abstract
Aim
To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection with local anesthetic (ESI TF) in participants with lumbar radicular pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation, depending on the presence of disc herniation with nerve root contact.
Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted on 116 participants with unilateral lumbar radicular pain caused by intervertebral disc herniation. Participants were stratified according to the presence of disc herniation in contact with the nerve root and then according to the type of procedure performed. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measurements were performed before the procedure and after one, three and six months of follow-up.