Effectiveness of Percutaneous Lumbar Epidural Adhesiolysis and Neurolysis on Low Back Pain

Patients with chronic low back pain and lower extremity pain secondary to spinal stenosis or post lumbar laminectomy syndrome, non responsive to conservative therapy with physical therapy or chiropractic and medical therapy and fluoroscopically directed epidural steroid injections.

Single-center, prospective, controlled, double blind, randomized study. If non-responsive or at patient's request, the patient may be unblinded anytime after 3 months, and will be offered adhesiolysis and hypertonic saline neurolysis if the patient was in the control group. All patients will be unblinded at 24 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Over 18 years of age
• History of chronic, function limiting low back pain of at least 6 months in duration
• Able to give voluntary, written informed consent
• Able to understand investigational procedures and willing to return for follow-ups
• No recent surgical procedures within last 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• Large contained or sequestered herniation
• Cauda Equina symptoms and/or compressive radiculopathy
• Narcotic use of no greater than 100mg/day Hydrocodone, 60mg Methadone, or 100mg Morphine
• Uncontrolled major depression or psychiatric disorder
• Uncontrolled or acute medical illness
• Chronic sever conditions that could interfere with outcome assessments
• Women who are pregnant or lactating
• Subjects who have participated in a clinical study with an investigational product within 30 days of enrollment