Periradicular methylprednisolone-bupivacaine infiltration for sciatica: a randomized controlled trial

Wise Young · 09-04-2001, 03:22 AM

• Karppinen J, Malmivaara A, Kurunlahti M, Kyllonen E, Pienimaki T, Nieminen P, Ohinmaa A, Tervonen O and Vanharanta H (2001). Periradicular infiltration for sciatica: a randomized controlled trial. Spine. 26 (9): 1059-67. Summary: STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted. OBJECTIVES: To test the efficacy of periradicular corticosteroid injection for sciatica. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The efficacy of epidural corticosteroids for sciatica is controversial. Periradicular infiltration is a targeted technique, but there are no randomized controlled trials of its efficacy. METHODS: In this study 160 consecutive, eligible patients with sciatica who had unilateral symptoms of 1 to 6 months duration, and who never underwent surgery were randomized for double-blind injection with methylprednisolone bupivacaine combination or saline. Objective and self-reported outcome parameters and costs were recorded at baseline, at 2 and 4 weeks, at 3 and 6 months, and at 1 year. RESULTS: Recovery was better in the steroid group at 2 weeks for leg pain (P = 0.02), straight leg raising (P = 0.03), lumbar flexion (P = 0.05), and patient satisfaction (P = 0.03). Back pain was significantly lower in the saline group at 3 and 6 months (P = 0.03 and 0.002, respectively), and leg pain at 6 months (13.5, P = 0.02). Sick leaves and medical costs were similar for both treatments, except for cost of therapy visits and drugs at 4 weeks, which were in favor of the steroid injection (P = 0.05 and 0.005, respectively). By 1 year, 18 patients in the steroid group and 15 in the saline group underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement during the follow-up period was found in both the methylprednisolone and saline groups. The combination of methylprednisolone and bupivacaine seems to have a short-term effect, but at 3 and 6 months, the steroid group seems to experience a "rebound" phenomenon. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11337625> Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Oulu, Finland. jaro.karppinen@ppshp.fi

Wise Young · 09-04-2001, 03:25 AM

Good short-term effect but more pain in the long run.

09-04-2001, 03:22 AM	#1
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 34,099	Periradicular methylprednisolone-bupivacaine infiltration for sciatica: a randomized controlled trial • Karppinen J, Malmivaara A, Kurunlahti M, Kyllonen E, Pienimaki T, Nieminen P, Ohinmaa A, Tervonen O and Vanharanta H (2001). Periradicular infiltration for sciatica: a randomized controlled trial. Spine. 26 (9): 1059-67. Summary: STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind trial was conducted. OBJECTIVES: To test the efficacy of periradicular corticosteroid injection for sciatica. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The efficacy of epidural corticosteroids for sciatica is controversial. Periradicular infiltration is a targeted technique, but there are no randomized controlled trials of its efficacy. METHODS: In this study 160 consecutive, eligible patients with sciatica who had unilateral symptoms of 1 to 6 months duration, and who never underwent surgery were randomized for double-blind injection with methylprednisolone bupivacaine combination or saline. Objective and self-reported outcome parameters and costs were recorded at baseline, at 2 and 4 weeks, at 3 and 6 months, and at 1 year. RESULTS: Recovery was better in the steroid group at 2 weeks for leg pain (P = 0.02), straight leg raising (P = 0.03), lumbar flexion (P = 0.05), and patient satisfaction (P = 0.03). Back pain was significantly lower in the saline group at 3 and 6 months (P = 0.03 and 0.002, respectively), and leg pain at 6 months (13.5, P = 0.02). Sick leaves and medical costs were similar for both treatments, except for cost of therapy visits and drugs at 4 weeks, which were in favor of the steroid injection (P = 0.05 and 0.005, respectively). By 1 year, 18 patients in the steroid group and 15 in the saline group underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement during the follow-up period was found in both the methylprednisolone and saline groups. The combination of methylprednisolone and bupivacaine seems to have a short-term effect, but at 3 and 6 months, the steroid group seems to experience a "rebound" phenomenon. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&dopt=r&uid=11337625> Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Oulu, Finland. jaro.karppinen@ppshp.fi

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09-04-2001, 03:25 AM	#2
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 34,099	Good short-term effect but more pain in the long run.