J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2004 Mar;11(1):48-54. 10.4184/jkss.2004.11.1.48.

The Usefulness of Selective Spinal Nerve Root Block

• Shim DM
• Kim TK
• Song HH
• You SS
• Cho JD

• KMID: 2003191
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2004.11.1.48

Abstract

PURPOSE
A retrospective study on the usefulness of selective spinal nerve root block among lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD), spinal stenosis and postoperative syndrome over 10 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From a total 1195 patients, whose symptoms were not improved by conservative treatment, 505 treated by selective nerve root block were divided into 3 groups; 150 (29.7%) with HIVD, 313 (62.0%) with spinal stenosis and 42 with postoperative syndrome, and were followed up from Oct. 1992 to Dec 2001. The degree of pain and activity were evaluated by a visual analogue scale method at the out-patient department or through telephone interviews.
RESULTS
The end-results of selective spinal nerve root block, with more than 50% reduction in pain occurred in 380 (75.3%) of the 505 patients. The effectiveness was greater in young patients with HIVD than elderly patients with spinal stenosis. After discharge, 160 patients (31.7%) needed no other treatment: 14 (31.0%) with an extrusion type HIVD and 17 (20.0%) with spondylolisthesis. The only 98 patients (19.4%) needed a surgical procedure after selective spinal nerve root block.
CONCLUSION
Selective spinal nerve root block in patients with lower back and radiating pain is a valuable conservative treatment to quickly improved symptoms and avoid surgical procedures and the continuous administration of drugs.

Keyword

HIVD; spinal stenosis; postoperative syndrome; spinal nerve root block

MeSH Terms

Aged
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Interviews as Topic
Outpatients
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Nerve Roots*
Spinal Nerves*
Spinal Stenosis
Spondylolisthesis

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