Epidural corticosteroid injection in the conservative management of sciatica

Citation
M. Buchner et al., Epidural corticosteroid injection in the conservative management of sciatica, CLIN ORTHOP, (375), 2000, pp. 149-156
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Ortopedics, Rehabilitation & Sport Medicine","da verificare
Journal title
CLINICAL ORTHOPAEDICS AND RELATED RESEARCH
ISSN journal
0009921X → ACNP
Issue
375
Year of publication
2000
Pages
149 - 156
Database
ISI
SICI code
0009-921X(200006):375<149:ECIITC>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
In this prospective randomized clinical trial, the results of epidural cort icosteroid injections were evaluated in patients with lumbosciatic pain cau sed by herniated nucleus pulposus. Thirty-six patients with radicular lumbo sciatic pain and positive straight leg raising test because of confirmed pr olapsed intervertebral lumbar discs were randomized into two groups with (1 7 patients) and without (19 patients) epidural corticosteroid injection. Me mbers of the treatment groups received three injections of 100 mg methylpre dnisolone in 10 mL bupivacaine 0.25% each. Additional therapy was standardi zed and identical in both groups. Followup examinations were performed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months. The examinations included pain level (visual analogue scale), straight leg raising test, and functional status (Hannove r Functional Ability Questionnaire). At 2 weeks, patients receiving methylp rednisolone injection showed a significant improvement in straight leg rais ing test results compared with patients in the control group. Results were better in the methylprednisolone group, although not statistically signific ant for pain relief and mobility. At 6 weeks and 6 months, pain relief, imp rovement of straight leg raising, and improvement of functional status show ed no statistical significance. Epidural corticosteroid injections can be r ecommended as additional therapy only in the acute phase of the conservativ e management of lumbosciatic pain.