Effectiveness of Interventional Pain Management on Disc Herniation Resorption: Radiological Evidence

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common condition.
• Spontaneous disc resorption (regression) can occur.
• The role of epidural steroid injections in disc resorption is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in disc herniation size over time using MRI.
• To explore spontaneous disc resorption in patients receiving epidural steroid injections.
• To determine if epidural steroid injections are linked to disc size reduction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 449 patients with LDH who underwent interventional pain management (IPM).
• Inclusion criteria: at least two lumbar spine MRI scans (pre- and post-IPM).
• Exclusion criteria: disc surgery post-IPM, follow-up exceeding two years.

Main Results:

• 128 patients were included in the final analysis.
• 37.5% (48 cases) showed LDH resorption after IPM.
• 62.5% (80 cases) showed no significant change in LDH size.

Conclusions:

• Interventional pain management (IPM) may influence LDH morphology by decreasing disc size in some patients.
• IPM therapies show potential benefits in LDH management.
• Further clinical research is warranted to explore these findings.