The pre-injection pain scores on the VAS were similar as well. The pre-injection ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) scores were essentially equal. If two levels were injected, the injectate was divided equally between the two levels. 40-mg triamcinolone acetonide ( Kenalog) + an unknown amount of 1% lidocaine. 
No patient received more than two levels of injections. The level of injection was based on the EMG findings, physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical symptoms. Two muscles innervated by 2 nerves from the same spinal cord level needed to be positive. Evidence of denervation or reinnervation on needle EMG. Completion of self-assessment surveys before the interventional spine procedure and at follow-up. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TF-ESI) performed at L4 and/or L5. EMG completion before the procedure with a diagnosis of an L5 or S1 radiculopathy. Pain level and functional status (using the Oswestry Disability Index – ODI) was filled out before the injection, and at a follow-up visit (and these were kept electronically). Patients who presented to the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Los Angeles between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2002. Purpose: to determine if objective EMG findings can predict functional benefit after a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection. The use of electromyography to predict functional outcome following transforaminal epidural spinal injections for lumbar radiculopathy.ĭepartment of Orthopedics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90404 Right L4 Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection 
Patients undergoing transforaminal epidural steroid injections show greater functional improvement if they have positive EMG findings of lumbar radiculopathy.
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