Are Stabilization Exercises Effective After Epidural Steroid Injection in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy?

Fluoroscopy-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection will be administered to patients with chronic neck pain due to cervical disc herniation. The injection area is cleaned 3 times with an antiseptic solution and covered with a sterile cloth. Local anesthesia with 2 ccs 3% prilocaine will be applied to the skin and subcutaneous tissues in the area of interest. Under fluoroscopy guidance, the needle is advanced into the C7-T1 intervertebral disc level. With the help of the loss of resistance technique, it is understood that the needle is in the epidural space, and second control is provided by administering contrast material. After the confirmation of needle place is done, a mixture of 12 mg dexamethasone, 1 cc 2% lidocaine, 1 cc saline is injected. The patient is taken to the restroom after the procedure and followed up for any complications.

The physiotherapist will design an exercise protocol for neck stabilization. Each exercise will be applied three days a week throughout a 4-week program, accompanied by a physiotherapist, and will begin with 7 to 10 repetitions at first, increasing to 10 to 15 repetitions in the following weeks, taking into account the patient's condition. After the physiotherapist-assisted exercises are completed, the protocol will continue as home-based exercises until the assessments are completed.

The physiotherapist will design an exercise protocol for neck and scapular stabilization. Each exercise will be applied three days a week throughout a 4-week program, accompanied by a physiotherapist, and will begin with 7 to 10 repetitions at first, increasing to 10 to 15 repetitions in the following weeks, taking into account the patient's condition. After the physiotherapist-assisted exercises are completed, the protocol will continue as home-based exercises until the assessments are completed.