Changes in the Utilization of Lumbosacral Epidural Injections Between 2010 and 2019

Study Design. A descriptive epidemiologic study. Objective. To analyze trends and patient characteristics for lumbosacral transforaminal and interlaminar/caudal epidural injection utilization over time. Background. Lumbosacral transforaminal and interlaminar/caudal epidural injections are considered for varying lumbar pathologies. Reported studies, physician practices, insurance authorization, and other factors may influence utilization patterns over time. Methods. Patients undergoing lumbosacral transforaminal and interlaminar/caudal epidural injections between 2010 and 2019 were identified in the M91Ortho PearlDiver database based on Current Procedural Terminology coding. Patient age, sex, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), insurance plan (commercial, Medicaid, Medicare), and region of the country where the procedure was performed (Midwest, Northeast, South, West) were assessed and tracked over the years studied based on prevalence per 100,000 covered lives. Results. Lumbosacral transforaminal and interlaminar/caudal epidural injections were identified for 426,039 and 501,228 patients, respectively. The number of injections performed per year decreased over the years studied: for transforaminal injections from 160.81 to 76.36 per 100,000 patients and for interlaminar/caudal injections from 200.53 to 77.56 per 100,000 patients. The decrease in overall injections was greatest for those with Commercial and Medicare coverage (53.40% and 66.50%, ...
Source: Spine - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Epidemiology Source Type: research