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Successful Treatment Of Lumbar Radicular Pain With Selective Nerve Root Injection Using A Racz Catheter: A Case Report London Spine Nerve Root

The article discusses the use of a Racz catheter for selective nerve root injection (SNRI) in a case of severe foraminal stenosis. The patient, an 81-year-old man, experienced left L5 radicular pain due to severe left L5-S1 foraminal stenosis. After the failure of conventional transforaminal SNRI, SNRI using a Racz catheter was performed. The procedure involved the insertion of a 16-gauge cannula via the sacral hiatus and the positioning of the catheter near the left L5 nerve root. A contrast dye was used to confirm the location of the needle tip, and an injection of triamcinolone, lidocaine, and saline was administered. The patient experienced immediate pain relief, and during follow-ups, only slight pain was reported. The article concludes that SNRI using a Racz catheter can be an effective alternative for controlling lumbar radicular pain when traditional methods are not feasible

Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : finest spinal centre in UK

Published article

When it is not possible to perform a conventional transforaminal SNRI, SNRI using a Racz catheter can be an effective treatment option for controlling lumbar radicular pain.

Spine nerve root injection dorsal root ganglion transforaminal Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Purpose: Lumbar transforaminal selective nerve root injection (SNRI) is effective for controlling radicular pain. However, when a patient occasionally experiences severe foraminal stenosis, osteophytes cover the outside opening of the neural foramen, preventing clinicians from inserting a needle tip within the neural foramen. Patients and methods: An 81-year-old man complained of left L5 radicular,

Abstract

Purpose: Lumbar transforaminal selective nerve root injection (SNRI) is effective for controlling radicular pain. However, when a patient occasionally experiences severe foraminal stenosis, osteophytes cover the outside opening of the neural foramen, preventing clinicians from inserting a needle tip within the neural foramen.

Patients and methods: An 81-year-old man complained of left L5 radicular pain (left thigh and calf) due to severe left L5-S1 foraminal stenosis. After failure of conventional transforaminal SNRI in the left L5 due to severe degenerative change in the lumbar spine, SNRI was performed using a Racz catheter. After inserting a 16-gauge cannula via the sacral hiatus, the Racz catheter was inserted. The tip of the catheter was positioned near the left L5 nerve root. After confirming the location of the needle tip using a contrast dye, 20 mg (40 mg/mL) of triamcinolone with 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine and 2 mL of normal saline was injected.

Results: Immediately after the procedure, the patient’s pain completely disappeared. During the 1- and 2-month follow-ups, the patient reported only slight pain in the thigh and calf.

When it is not possible to perform a conventional transforaminal SNRI, SNRI using a Racz catheter can be an effective treatment option for controlling lumbar radicular pain.

Keywords: Racz catheter; selective nerve root injection; spinal stenosis.

The London Spine Unit : finest spinal centre in UK

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Successful Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain with Selective Nerve Root Injection Using a Racz Catheter: A Case Report

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

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Abstract Purpose: Lumbar transforaminal selective nerve root injection (SNRI) is effective for controlling radicular pain. However, when a patient occasionally experiences severe foraminal stenosis, osteophytes cover the outside opening of the neural foramen, preventing clinicians from inserting a needle tip within the neural foramen. Patients and methods: An 81-year-old man complained of left L5 radicular

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