Investigation of the Effects of Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection on Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is characterized by neuropathic pain radiating along a dermatomal pattern due to irritation or compression of cervical nerve roots, most commonly from cervical disc herniation or foraminal narrowing. In addition to sensory symptoms, proprioceptive deficits may arise from altered cervical afferent input, affecting upper extremity joint position sense and sensorimotor control. Although proprioceptive impairment has been previously demonstrated in chronic neck pain and cervical spondylosis, the proprioceptive profile of patients with cervical radiculopathy has not been adequately investigated.

Interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) is a commonly used minimally invasive treatment for cervical disc herniation-associated radicular pain and has been shown to reduce pain and improve function and disability. However, its potential effects on upper extremity proprioception, an important sensory component contributing to coordinated movement and rehabilitation outcomes, remain unknown.

This prospective interventional study will evaluate proprioceptive changes using the PRO-Reach upper extremity joint position sense test, a validated multi-planar assessment method that measures joint position error across multiple directions without requiring computerized or robotic devices. Clinical outcome measures will include neuropathic pain scores, pain intensity, disability indices, hand-grip strength, and health-related quality of life. All assessments will be performed at three time points: before treatment (T0), 3 weeks after injection (T1), and 3 months after injection (T2).

Participants will undergo standardized unilateral ILESI at the C7-T1 interlaminar level under fluoroscopic guidance using a combination of corticosteroid, local anesthetic, and saline. Data collection will be performed by blinded assessors to minimize measurement bias.

The study aims to characterize whether ILESI provides measurable improvements in upper extremity proprioception and to determine the extent to which changes in proprioceptive accuracy correspond to changes in pain, neuropathic symptoms, upper extremity function, and quality of life. These findings may help guide rehabilitation planning and provide insight into the sensorimotor consequences of cervical radiculopathy and its interventional treatment.

Inclusion criteria

Participants must meet all of the following:

• Female or male, 18-65 years of age
• Presence of unilateral cervical radicular pain lasting at least 3 months
• MRI of the cervical spine within the last 12 months demonstrating at least one cervical disc herniation consistent with the patient's symptoms
• Diagnosed with chronic cervical radiculopathy based on history, physical examination, and clinical evaluation
• Ability to read and write (literacy)
• Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Participants will be excluded for any of the following:

• Cervical physical therapy or cervical spinal injection performed within the past 6 months
• Symptoms or diagnosis of upper extremity entrapment neuropathy
• Documented vitamin B12 deficiency or vitamin D deficiency on laboratory results within the past year
• History of cervical spine surgery or significant cervical trauma
• Bilateral cervical radicular pain
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• History of upper extremity surgery or significant upper extremity trauma
• Cognitive impairment, major psychiatric disorder, intellectual disability, or history of significant neurological disease
• Diagnosis of polyneuropathy
• Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
• Current use of medications that may impair proprioception or have sedative effects (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants)
• Active local or systemic infection
• Coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis
• Known allergy to any components of the planned injection (triamcinolone, lidocaine, saline, contrast medium)
• Pregnancy
• Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent
• Illiteracy (unable to read or write)

Withdrawal Criteria

• Voluntary withdrawal of consent at any time
• Inability or unwillingness to continue study participation for any reason
• New medical condition or event after enrollment that renders continuation unsafe according to the investigator's judgment