Investigation of the Effects of Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection on Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition caused by irritation or compression of cervical nerve roots, often leading to unilateral neuropathic pain and functional impairment. Proprioceptive deficits in the upper extremity have been demonstrated in various cervical spine disorders; however, the effect of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) on upper extremity proprioception in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy has not been previously examined. This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate changes in upper extremity proprioception following unilateral ILESI in patients with cervical disc herniation-related chronic radiculopathy. A secondary aim is to investigate the relationship between proprioceptive changes and clinical outcomes such as pain, neuropathic pain, disability, grip strength, and quality of life.

Cervical radiculopathy is characterized by neuropathic pain radiating along a dermatomal pattern due to irritation or compression of cervical nerve roots, most commonly from cervical disc herniation or foraminal narrowing. In addition to sensory symptoms, proprioceptive deficits may arise from altered cervical afferent input, affecting upper extremity joint position sense and sensorimotor control. Although proprioceptive impairment has been previously demonstrated in chronic neck pain and cervical spondylosis, the proprioceptive profile of patients with cervical radiculopathy has not been adequately investigated. Interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) is a commonly used minimally invasive treatment for cervical disc herniation-associated radicular pain and has been shown to reduce pain and improve function and disability. However, its potential effects on upper extremity proprioception, an important sensory component contributing to coordinated movement and rehabilitation outcomes, remain unknown. This prospective interventional study will evaluate proprioceptive changes using the PRO-Reach upper extremity joint position sense test, a validated multi-planar assessment method that measures joint position error across multiple directions without requiring computerized or robotic devices. Clinical outcome measures will include neuropathic pain scores, pain intensity, disability indices, hand-grip strength, and health-related quality of life. All assessments will be performed at three time points: before treatment (T0), 3 weeks after injection (T1), and 3 months after injection (T2). Participants will undergo standardized unilateral ILESI at the C7-T1 interlaminar level under fluoroscopic guidance using a combination of corticosteroid, local anesthetic, and saline. Data collection will be performed by blinded assessors to minimize measurement bias. The study aims to characterize whether ILESI provides measurable improvements in upper extremity proprioception and to determine the extent to which changes in proprioceptive accuracy correspond to changes in pain, neuropathic symptoms, upper extremity function, and quality of life. These findings may help guide rehabilitation planning and provide insight into the sensorimotor consequences of cervical radiculopathy and its interventional treatment.