Epidural Steroid Injection for Restless Legs Symptoms in Lumbar Stenosis

Lumbar central spinal stenosis (LCSS) is a common degenerative spinal disorder characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in chronic low back pain, leg pain, and neurogenic claudication. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequently observed in patients with lumbar spinal disorders and may contribute substantially to sleep disturbance and reduced quality of life. Although lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection (LIESI) is widely used to alleviate pain and improve functional status in patients with LCSS, its effect on RLS symptoms has not been adequately investigated. The aim of this prospective observational study is to evaluate the effect of lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection on restless legs syndrome symptoms in patients with lumbar central spinal stenosis. Adult patients with symptomatic moderate-to-severe lumbar central spinal stenosis who have persistent pain despite conservative treatment and who also report symptoms consistent with restless legs syndrome will be enrolled. Participants will undergo standard fluoroscopy-guided lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection as part of routine clinical care. Restless legs syndrome severity, pain intensity, disability, and sleep quality will be assessed before the procedure and at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Modified Oswestry Disability Index (MODI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. The primary outcome is the change in IRLS score from baseline to 3 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in pain intensity, disability, and sleep quality following treatment. This study aims to provide evidence regarding the relationship between epidural pain treatment and restless legs syndrome symptoms in patients with lumbar central spinal stenosis.