Aim: The objective of this study was to compare motor weakness return in selective nerve root blockages (periradicular injection of 1 cc of % 2 prilocain and 1 cc of 40 mg methyl-predisolone combination) for lumbar single- and multi-level radiculopathies in patients with foraminal stenosis, that symptoms had been found more than three months, in a single dedicated spine center.
Material and method: In this retrospective study there has been 29 (F:M= 15:14) patients (65,21±10,91) (49-85) investigated with a minor sensory deficit without any motor deficit and an equivocal MRI findings, that has been treated with nerve root blockages. All of MRI images belong to those patients have shown foraminal stenosis pathology correlated with clinical findings. In order to make comparisons, we have divided patients into two groups as single-level (16 patients) and multi-level (13 patients) blockage application. Also we have compared the unilateral and bilateral applicated patient groups. In the comparisons we have researched if any difference in the time of motor weakness recovery (<2, ≥2 hour) after blockage in the groups. All the pre-treatment clinic signs and post-treatment findings have been obtained from patient record files from our spine center.
Results: We have determined a significant longer motor weakness return in patients in mutli-level root blockage group, compared to patients in single-level root blockage group (P=.001). But we have did not determine any significant difference by mean of motor recovery time in the comparisons of patients in the unilateral and bilateral application groups (P=.665).
Conclusion: In multi-level selective nerve root blockage applications in patients with multi-level lumbar foraminal stenosis, a longer motor recovery time should be expected. Therefore, it is reasonable to think that the discharge times should be longer in those patients to observe if they can mobilize without any support.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Lumbar, radiculopathy, selective nerve root block, steroid.
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