This study was undertaken to assaythe effectiveness of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) for sciatica and to identify potential predictors related to treatment outcome.

TFESIs were performed in 150 patients between August 2006 and March 2007. Seventy-five patients (35 women, 40 men; mean age, 59.1 years), who met the inclusion criteria, were studied. Therapeutic effects were evaluated twoweeks after injection. The following potential outcome predictors analyzed were as follows: one level vs. two level injection, Beck depression inventory score (<13, 14-19, >20), Beck anxiety inventory score (<7, 8-15, >16), cause of radiculopathy (spinal stenosis vs. herniated disk), gender, duration of radiculopathy (<6 months, 6-12 months, >6 months), and Oswestry disability index score (<30, 31-60, >60). The relationships between possible outcome predictors and therapeutic effects were evaluated.

Forty-nine of the 75 patients (65.3%) had a satisfactory result two weeks after TFESIs. Of these, twenty-four of the 46 patients (52.2%) were treated by a one level injection and 25 (89.3%) of the 29 patients were treated by a two level injection. This outcome was statistically significant (P < 0.01). None of the other potential outcome predictors showed any statistical difference.

TFESI is recommended as an effective method of managing radiculopathy. Two-level injectionsmay result in a better outcome than a one-level injection.