COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PERIRADICULAR INJECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LUMBAR RADICULAR PAIN.

This study aims to compare the effects of different ultrasound-guided periradicular injection solutions in patients with chronic unilateral radicular pain caused by a single-level lumbar disc herniation. Participants receive an ultrasound-guided periradicular injection containing lidocaine and dexamethasone, either alone or combined with 5% dextrose or 0.9% sodium chloride. The study evaluates whether adding dextrose or sodium chloride provides additional benefit in reducing pain and improving function and quality of life. Pain intensity, disability, quality of life, and analgesic use are assessed before treatment and during follow-up. The main hypothesis is that the addition of 5% dextrose or 0.9% sodium chloride may improve the clinical effectiveness of the injection compared with lidocaine and dexamethasone alone.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 25 and 65 years * Persistent low back and leg pain despite conservative treatment * Unilateral radicular pain accompanying chronic low back pain lasting longer than 3 months * Single-level lumbar disc herniation (LDH) confirmed by clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) * Low back pain and unilateral radicular leg pain with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥4 * Provision of written informed consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Lumbar epidural steroid injection within the previous 6 months or a history of major trauma * History of allergy to any of the medications to be administered * Body mass index (BMI) \>30 kg/m² * Unstable chronic medical disease, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or heart failure * History of lumbar spine surgery * History of coagulopathy * History of malignancy * History of polyneuropathy * History of peripheral vascular disease * Presence of a psychiatric disorder or cognitive impairment that would prevent completion of questionnaires and assessment scales, including dementia or significant visual or hearing impairment * Local infection at the injection site or systemic infection * Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding * Neurological deficit in the lower extremities * Unwillingness to participate in the study