Comparison of the Effectiveness of High-Intensity Laser Therapy and Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients With Chronic Axial and Radicular Low Back Pain Due to Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy and fluoroscopy-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. Eligible patients will be randomized into two parallel groups. One group will receive high-intensity laser therapy, and the other group will receive transforaminal epidural steroid injection. All participants will also receive a standardized home-based exercise program. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome will be pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale. Secondary outcomes will include functional disability, neuropathic pain symptoms, quality of life, and functional walking capacity.
• Age between 18 and 65 years
• Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation confirmed by clinical examination and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging
• Chronic axial low back pain and radicular pain related to lumbar disc herniation
• Low back and/or radicular pain lasting longer than 3 months
• Resting low back and/or radicular pain intensity of ≥5 on a 0-10 visual analog scale
• Willingness to participate in the study and provide written informed consent