Effectiveness of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection and Lumbar Traction in Lumbar Radiculopathy Due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation: A Comparative Study

Background: Lumbar radiculopathy, commonly caused by intervertebral disc herniation, leads to severe pain and disability. Various non-surgical treatments, including Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection (TESI) and lumbar traction, are employed to alleviate pain and improve functionality. Objective: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of TESI and lumbar traction in managing lumbar radiculopathy. Methods: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized, comparative trial conducted over 12 months at a tertiary care center, involving 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy due to intervertebral disc herniation (IDH). Eligible patients, aged 18 to 65 years with MRI-confirmed disc herniation causing radiculopathy, were randomly assigned to either the TESI group (n=50) or the lumbar traction group (n=50). Exclusion criteria included patients with prior lumbar surgery, spinal infections, or tumors. The TESI group received a single transforaminal epidural steroid injection under fluoroscopic guidance, while the lumbar traction group underwent mechanical traction therapy for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for six weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, two weeks, and six months post-intervention, functional outcome using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at the same time points, and patient satisfaction using a five-point Likert scale at six months. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, with significance set at p-values <0.05. Results: The results of this study demonstrated that both the TESI and lumbar traction groups experienced significant improvements in pain and functional outcomes; however, the TESI group showed more pronounced results. In terms of pain reduction, the TESI group’s mean VAS score decreased from 7.5 at baseline to 3.2 at two weeks and 2.8 at six months, while the lumbar traction group saw a decrease from 7.6 to 5.1 at two ........