A 3-arm Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Transforaminal Corticosteroid, Transforaminal Etanercept and Transforaminal Saline for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

This is a 3-arm multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing two treatments with transforaminal epidural saline. Each group will receive a 2nd procedure identical to the first 2 weeks after the initial procedure.

Seventy-eight study participants will be randomized via a computerized randomization system using SPSS software in groups of 6 at each institution by a research nurse not involved in patient care. There will be 26 patients in each of the 3 groups. A physician unaware of the patient's treatment group will place 22-gauge needles in the relevant foramen under fluoroscopic guidance as determined by patient's symptoms and MRI findings. Once correct placement is confirmed by contrast injection, the blinded physician will leave the room and another physician will inject the medication. In group I, this will be 60 mg of depo-methylprednisolone. In group II, this will be 4 mg of etanercept reconstituted in 2 ml of sterile water. In group III, this will be normal saline.

Two weeks after the initial procedure, an identical procedure to the first one will be done by the same physician or his designate. In addition to the study medication, each patient in each group will receive 0.5 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine local anesthetic for immediate pain relief during both injections before the study drug is delivered. The efficacy of blinding will be assessed by a disinterested observer unaware of the randomization results after the second procedure before discharge. Follow-up visits will be conducted one, three and six months after the second injection, for those subjects who continue to experience > 50% pain relief.

Inclusion criteria

• Chronic low back pain of radicular origin of > 4 weeks but < 6 months duration.
• Leg pain > back pain.
• Failure of conservative therapy to include physical and pharmacotherapy.
• MRI evidence of a lateral or paracentral herniated disc corresponding to the patient's radicular symptoms.

Exclusion criteria

• Uncontrolled coagulopathy.
• Pregnancy, which will be ruled out by a urine pregnancy test in women of childbearing age.
• Allergy to contrast dye or amide local anesthetics.
• Previous epidural steroid injection within last year.
• Unstable medical or psychiatric condition (e.g. unstable angina, congestive heart failure or severe depression) that could preclude an optimal treatment response.
• Rheumatoid arthritis or spondylarthropathy.
• Unstable neurological condition (e.g. multiple sclerosis)
• Systemic infection