Treatment Response to TFESI and DRG Pulsed RF in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Disc Herniation

Lumbar radiculopathy caused by conditions such as lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can lead to chronic pain and reduced quality of life. In patients who do not respond to conservative treatments, minimally invasive procedures such as transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) applied to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are commonly used.

This study aims to compare treatment responses between patients with lumbar disc herniation and those with lumbar spinal stenosis who have undergone TFESI combined with dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency. Pain levels and clinical outcomes will be evaluated to determine whether the underlying condition affects treatment effectiveness.

The results of this study may help guide clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach for patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Lumbar Radiculopathy Bone Diseases Hernia Intervertebral Disc Displacement Lumbar Disc Herniation Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Radiculopathy Spinal Diseases Spinal Stenosis

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Lumbar radiculopathy is a common clinical condition associated with degenerative spine disorders such as lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), often resulting in chronic pain and functional limitation. In patients who do not respond adequately to conservative management, minimally invasive interventional procedures are frequently employed. Among these, transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) applied to the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are widely used for pain control.

Pulsed radiofrequency (pRF) is thought to exert its analgesic effect through neuromodulatory mechanisms rather than neurodestruction, including modulation of nociceptive transmission and reduction of neuroinflammatory processes. When combined with transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI), these interventions may provide enhanced clinical benefit.

Despite the increasing use of combined TFESI and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (pRF), there is limited evidence comparing treatment responses across different etiological subgroups. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) differ, with LDH typically involving focal nerve root irritation and LSS characterized by chronic compression and ischemic changes. These differences may influence the effectiveness of interventional treatments.

This retrospective study aims to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients who underwent transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) combined with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (pRF), by categorizing them into two groups based on underlying etiology: lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis. Changes in pain intensity and clinical outcomes will be compared between these groups. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of patient selection and optimization of interventional pain management strategies.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 18 and 75 years
Presence of symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation
Symptom duration of at least 3 months
Having undergone lumbar transforaminal epidural corticosteroid injection and dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency

Exclusion criteria

Absence of sufficient records in the hospital system
Inaccessibility of radiological imaging

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Comparison of change in pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) between lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis

Time frame: Baseline, 1 hour, and 3 weeks post-procedure

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (0-10), and changes from baseline at 1 hour and 3 weeks post-procedure will be compared between patients with lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis.

Secondary outcomes

Radiological severity grading

Time frame: Baseline (based on pre-procedural MRI)

Radiological findings will be evaluated using established classification systems, including the Pfirrmann grading system for lumbar disc degeneration, the Schizas classification for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), and the Michigan State University (MSU) classification for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Marmara University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Treatment Response to Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection and Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Lumbar Disc Herniation

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Apr 3, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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