Study of Depo-Medrol Injection to the Psoas Muscle After Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery Effects on Hip Muscle Weakness, Thigh Pain, and Numbness

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a corticosteroid called Depo-Medrol when applied to the psoas muscle after a transpsoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion LLIF surgery. The study aims to understand how this steroid impacts postoperative hip flexor weakness, thigh pain, and numbness. This is a Phase 4 randomized trial comparing standard care with and without Depo-Medrol application. Participants are divided into two groups a control group receiving a gel foam powder mixed with thrombin, and a steroid group receiving the same gel foam combined with 80 mg of Depo-Medrol. The intervention is applied during surgery to the psoas muscle. The study measures outcomes at multiple times after surgery, including 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, to assess pain, weakness, numbness, patient-reported quality of life, disability, sciatica symptoms, and fusion rates. Throughout the study, participants will have their thigh pain measured using a visual analog scale at early postoperative periods. Researchers will also evaluate hip flexor weakness and numbness severity, along with patient-reported outcome questionnaires such as the Euro-Quality of Life 5 dimension EQ5D, Oswestry Disability Index ODI, and Sciatica Bothersomeness Index. Fusion success will be assessed at 1 and 2 years. Follow-up visits monitor safety and functional recovery over two years after surgery.

Depo-Medrol on Psoas After LLIF