A Comparative Study Between Selective Nerve Root Blocks Versus Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection in the Management of Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy is one of the most common disorders encountered by a spine surgeon. The condition involves back pain, which may radiate to the lower limbs, and neurological symptoms, which involve a specific nerve root. Caudal epidural steroid injections (CESIs) and selective nerve root blocks (SNRBs) are two of the most common interventions, which are used to control the pain and neurological symptoms associated with chronic lumbar radiculopathy. This study compares the two nonsurgical treatment procedures and aims to assist medical professionals dealing with this condition, in making an informed decision regarding which procedure would be better suited for their patients. Our study showed that CESIs better alleviated pain and had a greater improvement in functional impairment at short-term (one month) follow-up. However, both procedures had similar efficacy at three-month follow-up.