Ventral epidural steroid injection with catheter techniques for radicular pain patients: A prospective observational study

Aim Using the controllable caudal catheter (CCC) is the other option for ventral epidural steroid injection. This study determined the pain reduction result by CCC in leg pain patients who were poor surgical candidates. Material and methods: Sixty nine cases were met inclusion criteria. Visual Analog Scale score and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire of two groups were determined at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Mixed linear regression model was applied to compare Visual Analog Scale score and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire between two groups. Results: Overall mean Roland Morris Disability for CCC and Transforaminal selective nerve root block (TF-SNRB) are 0.68 (95% CI: 0.58, 0.78) and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.42, 0.59), respectively. Overall mean Visual Analog Scale score for CCC and TF-SNRB are 3.77 (95% CI: 3.04, 4.51) and 3.65 (3.04, 4.26), respectively. Comparing between two groups, the coefficient of Roland Morris Disability and Visual Analog Scale score were −0.173 (95% CI: −0.314, −0.031) and −0.123 (95% CI: −1.148, 0.901), respectively. Conclusion: The pain reduction result by CCC was comparable with TF-SNRB in early follow-up. They are also useful for patients who are not candidates for surgery.