PLDD With or Without Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Lumbar Disc Herniation

This is a prospective, single-center observational study conducted at the Algology Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine. The study will include adult patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging who undergo routine percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) as part of standard clinical care.

According to routine clinical practice and physician decision, some patients receive adjunct transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection with dexamethasone in the same session following PLDD using the same cannula after withdrawal from the disc space and confirmation of epidural position with contrast under fluoroscopy. This combined approach does not require an additional puncture and is part of standard clinical treatment.

Patients will be prospectively followed and divided into two groups based on routine clinical management: those undergoing PLDD alone and those undergoing PLDD with adjunct transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

Baseline demographic data including age and sex, clinical characteristics such as symptom duration and affected disc level, and comorbidities will be recorded using standardized data collection forms.

The primary outcome measure will be change in leg pain intensity assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measures will include back pain NRS, functional status evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), analgesic consumption, need for additional interventions, and complication rates.

Follow-up assessments will be conducted at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure through outpatient visits or telephone interviews.

All procedures included in this study are part of routine clinical practice, and no experimental interventions will be performed. Data will be collected and analyzed in accordance with ethical standards and patient confidentiality.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18 years and older

Diagnosis of single-level lumbar disc herniation confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Presence of radicular leg pain refractory to conservative treatment

Undergoing routine percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) as part of standard clinical care

Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Multilevel lumbar disc herniation

Extruded or sequestered disc herniation

Severe spinal canal stenosis or spinal instability

Previous lumbar spine surgery at the affected level

Active infection or systemic inflammatory disease

Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulant therapy contraindicating intervention

Pregnancy

Inability to complete follow-up assessments