Authors
Abstract
Background: Low back pain, in any community has a high prevalence. Acute sciatica does not usually have a very quick and effective non-operative remedy. Lingering disability and very slow return to work is a major finding in most cases. We aimed at testing the effect of early epidural steroid injection in pain relief and in shortening the disability period.Methods: Forty patients (25 male, 15 female) referring to two hospitals in Meshhad with acute radiculor pain during one-year period were enrolled in a prospective study. The cases had clinical and MRI proof of a disc herniation occurring within 6 weeks of their referral and had not responded to regular medical treatment for 2 to 3 weeks. After full evaluation and completing the “Prolo” scoring questionnaire, the patients were injected epidurally with 40mg of Triamcinolone and 2% Lidocaine for 3 times in two days intervals. The cases were then assessed shortly after injection and in 3 and 6 months.Results: Improvement in SLR positivity was statistically evident after the third injection. Dramatic reduction in pain and therefore, analgesic medication use was observed in second and third follow-up (p < /em>≥.05). Over all 27.5% of patients were fully satisfied and 62.5% were partially satisfied with the results.Conclusion: Epidural steroid injection following acute radicular back pain has short-term dramatic effect in pain control, but does not improve function or effectiveness of an individual to a significant degree.
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