EPIDURAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS FOR ACUTE RADICULOPATHY IN A 95-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

A previously independent 95-year-old woman had acute, disabling left l umbosacral radiculopathy diagnosed by clinical findings and imaging st udies. Significant side effects of oral nonsteroidal and narcotic medi cations led to treatment with epidural steroids (triamcinolone acetoni de). These injections provided pain relief, allowing a short course of inpatient rehabilitation that improved the patient's function and fac ilitated return to independent living. At 1-year follow-up, she contin ued to live independently and remained free of pain. We believe that e pidural steroids coupled with a comprehensive rehabilitation program c an lead to restoration of function in some elderly patients unable to tolerate the side effects of standard pain medications.