Effect of transforaminal epidural polydeoxyribonucleotide injections on lumbosacral radiculopathy

RATIONALE Transforaminal epidural glucocorticoids administration is widely performed for the management of lumbosacral radiculopathy. However, it may worsen the condition of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) was recently noted as a substitute for glucocorticoids. PATIENT CONCERNS A 44-year-old male patient was admitted to our pain clinic with symptoms of low back pain with severe pain and tingling sensation of left posterolateral leg. He had type 2 DM medicated with Glimepiride and Metformin. Blood glucose level was 367 mg/dL. He declined to use glucocorticoid. DIAGNOSES He was diagnosed as left foraminal disc protrusion at L4-5, left subarticular disc protrusion at L5-S1. INTERVENTIONS Fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural PDRN injections were carried out. OUTCOMES The patient was followed up for more than 6 months and demonstrated good improvement in lumbosacral radiculopathy without any complications. LESSONS This is the first successful report on epidural injection of PDRN.