Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of caudal epidural injection in relieving pseudoclaudication of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Method: Fifteen patients with a spinal stenosis which was confirmed by the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) studies, received a caudal epidural steroid injection of triamcinolone acetate 120 mg, in a solution mixed with 2 ml of 1% lidocaine, and 15 ml of normal saline.
Results: The visual analogue scales checked at 1 hour prior to injection, 1 hour postinjection, and 1 month postinjection were 8.1⁑0.8, 3.7⁑1.7, and 6.4⁑1.9, respectively.
The exercise tolerance on the treadmill with 0o ramp inclination and 1.8 km/h speed was measured at 1 hour prior to injection, 1 hour postinjection, and 1 month postinjection. The time intervals to the first symptom of the pseudoclaudication were 2.3⁑0.8 minutes, 6.5⁑0.7 minutes, and 4.6⁑1.9 minutes, respectively.
Conclusion: In our study, the caudal epidural injection offered a significant short-term relief for the pseudoclaudication. Also it appeared to be a reasonable therapeutic option among patients with lumbar spinal stenosis after 1 month postinjection.
