The Value of Short-term Pain Relief for the Prediction of Long-term Outcome After Cervical or Lumbar Nerve Root Infiltration

Inclusion Criteria:

   - Symptomatic (pain) one-level cervical (C3-C8) or lumbar (L1-S1) radiculopathy with
   radiological evidence of discal nerve root compression

   - Minimum VAS of 20/100

   - Age between 18 - 70 years

Exclusion Criteria:

   - Multilevel disc herniations with multiple symptomatic nerve root compressions

   - Higher motor deficits (Paresis M 0-3 of a peripheral muscle)

   - Age < 18 or > 70 years

   - Pregnancy

   - Allergic reaction against steroids or local anaesthetic

   - Bleeding disorder (Tc < 100.000/ul, Quick <50%, INR > 1.5, abnormal PTT)

   - Known bleeding diathesis

   - Continued anticoagulants (Warfarin = Marcoumar must be bridged with low- or
   high-molecular heparin; commonly, intake of Aspirin or Clopidogrel is no
   contraindication for infiltration therapy but is routinely paused when possible)

   - Pseudoradicular pain (e.g. in facet arthrosis, iliosacral arthrosis...) - as evaluated
   to the best of the knowledge of the admitting physician and radiologist performing the
   infiltration

   - Osseous spinal or foraminal stenosis

   - Myelopathy

   - Severe scoliosis

   - Active neoplasm

   - History of spinal infection / spondylodiscitis

   - History of spinal surgery or previous infiltration therapy on the currently painful
   segment

   - Rheumatic disease