Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural dry needling for lumbar spinal stenosis using a specially designed needle
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This report describes the methodological approach and clinical application of a minimally invasive intervention to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-four patients with LSS underw...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2010-08-01
|
| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/11/180 |
| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This report describes the methodological approach and clinical application of a minimally invasive intervention to treat lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-four patients with LSS underwent fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural dry needling using a specially designed flexed Round Needle. The needle was inserted 8-12 cm lateral to the midline at the level of the stenosis and advanced to a position between the anterior side of the facet joint and pedicle up to the outer-third of the pedicle. The needle was advanced medially and backed laterally within a few millimetres along the canal side of the inferior articular process between the facet joint and pedicle. The procedure was completed when a marked reduction in resistance was felt at the tip of the needle. The procedure was performed bilaterally at the level of the stenosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average follow-up period was 12.9 ± 1.1 months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score was reduced from 7.3 ± 2.0 to 4.6 ± 2.5 points, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score decreased from 41.4 ± 17.2 to 25.5 ± 12.6% and the average self-rated improvement was 52.6 ± 33.1%. The VAS scores indicated that 14 (41.2%) patients reported a "good" to "excellent" treatment response, while 11 (32.4%) had a "good" to "excellent" treatment response on the ODI and 22 (64.7%) had a "good" to "excellent" treatment response on the self-rated improvement scale.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural dry needling is effective for managing LSS.</p> |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1471-2474 |