The PLAN trial: precision treatment of lumbar spine surgery with advanced nerve root blockade - protocol for a prospective, investigator-initiated, randomized non-inferiority trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lumbar radiculopathy, due to nerve root compression, leads to significant pain and functional impairment. Surgical decompression is a treatment option, but not all patients achieve good outcomes. This protocol for an ongoing randomized controlled trial aims to compare the outcomes of surgical planning with a diagnostic selective nerve root block and surgical planning without a diagnostic selective nerve root block (standard of care).

Methods

The PLAN trial is a multicenter, block-randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial that will enroll patients diagnosed with unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. Participants who have been deemed surgical candidates will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A will receive standard surgical decompression, while Group B

SUBMITTER: Kocemba D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12817601 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature