Ultrasound-guided Transgluteal Sciatic Nerve Hydrodissection for the Treatment of Sciatica in the Emergency Department

Procedural feasibility will be assessed using four metrics: (1) Enrollment rate, measured as proportion of screened patients meeting eligibility criteria who were enrolled; (2) Procedural attempt rate, measured as proportion of enrolled patients in whom TSNH was attempted; (3) Procedural completion rate, measured as proportion of attempted procedures in which successful injection of D5W was achieved on ultrasound visualization; (4) Follow-up completion rate, measured as proportion of enrolled patients completing the 72-hour structured telephone follow-up.

Incidence of adverse events assessed via structured 72-hour telephone follow-up using a standardized script administered to all patients participants by study the investigators. Adverse events evaluated include: (1) new or worsening motor weakness in the ipsilateral lower extremity; (2) new sensory disturbance in the ipsilateral lower extremity; (3) injection-site pain beyond expected post-procedural soreness; (4) signs or symptoms of injection-site infection. Results reported as number and percentage of participants experiencing each adverse event type.

Change in self-reported pain level measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain (higher scores indicate worse outcome). Scores recorded at three timepoints: (1) baseline, prior to any treatment in the ED; (2) post-treatment, approximately 15 minutes after TSNH procedure completion for the TSNH group, and at a comparable timepoint for the comparison group; (3) 72-hour follow-up, via structured telephone contact after ED discharge. Change from baseline pain level calculated at each timepoint. Pain scores compared between participants receiving TSNH and a contemporaneous comparison group receiving standard pharmacologic care.