Investigation of the Effects of Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection on Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy
Marmara University
46 participants
Jan 5, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition caused by irritation or compression of cervical nerve roots, often leading to unilateral neuropathic pain and functional impairment. Proprioceptive deficits in the upper extremity have been demonstrated in various cervical spine disorders; however, the effect of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) on upper extremity proprioception in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy has not been previously examined. This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate changes in upper extremity proprioception following unilateral ILESI in patients with cervical disc herniation-related chronic radiculopathy. A secondary aim is to investigate the relationship between proprioceptive changes and clinical outcomes such as pain, neuropathic pain, disability, grip strength, and quality of life.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Participants must meet all of the following:
- Female or male, 18-65 years of age
- Presence of unilateral cervical radicular pain lasting at least 3 months
- MRI of the cervical spine within the last 12 months demonstrating at least one cervical disc herniation consistent with the patient's symptoms
- Diagnosed with chronic cervical radiculopathy based on history, physical examination, and clinical evaluation
- Ability to read and write (literacy)
- Willingness to participate and ability to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria23
- Participants will be excluded for any of the following:
- Cervical physical therapy or cervical spinal injection performed within the past 6 months
- Symptoms or diagnosis of upper extremity entrapment neuropathy
- Documented vitamin B12 deficiency or vitamin D deficiency on laboratory results within the past year
- History of cervical spine surgery or significant cervical trauma
- Bilateral cervical radicular pain
- Cervical spinal stenosis
- History of upper extremity surgery or significant upper extremity trauma
- Cognitive impairment, major psychiatric disorder, intellectual disability, or history of significant neurological disease
- Diagnosis of polyneuropathy
- Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
- Current use of medications that may impair proprioception or have sedative effects (e.g., gabapentinoids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants)
- Active local or systemic infection
- Coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis
- Known allergy to any components of the planned injection (triamcinolone, lidocaine, saline, contrast medium)
- Pregnancy
- Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent
- Illiteracy (unable to read or write)
- Withdrawal Criteria
- Voluntary withdrawal of consent at any time
- Inability or unwillingness to continue study participation for any reason
- New medical condition or event after enrollment that renders continuation unsafe according to the investigator's judgment
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Interventions
The injection will be administered under sterile conditions with fluoroscopic guidance at the C7-T1 interlaminar level. An 18-gauge epidural needle will be advanced into the epidural space, followed by injection of a mixture containing: 80 mg triamcinolone acetonide, 1 mL of 2% lidocaine, and 2 mL of 0.9% saline. Participants will remain under observation for approximately 2 hours after the procedure and will then be discharged. The procedure will be performed by an experienced pain medicine specialist with over 15 years of fluoroscopic interventional practice.
Locations(1)
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NCT07307846