Caudal Epidurals - Chris Huber 31/5/2001

Authors

Cuckler JM, Bernini PA, Wiesel SW, Booth RE Jr, Rothman RH, Pickens GT.

Title

The use of Epidural Steroids in the Treatment of Lumbar Radicular Pain: A prospective Randomised Double-Blind study

Reference

J Bone Joint Surg Am, Volume:67 Issue:1, Page:63-6 Year:1985 Jan

Summary

Seventy-three patients with lumbar radicular pain syndromes were treated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind fashion with either seven milliliters of methylprednisolone acetate and procaine or seven milliliters of physiological saline solution and procaine. No statistically significant difference was observed between the control and experimental patients.

Critique

No intermed FU. Entry criteria=severe disease, FU by phone only. Sig pain relief needed to be >75% improvement

Authors

Bowman SJ, Wedderburn L, Whaley A, Grahame R, Newman S

Title

Outcome assessment after epidural corticosteroid injection for low back pain and sciatica

Reference

Spine Volume:18 Issue:10, Page:1345-50 Year:1993 Aug

Summary

1) a clinical score, 2) patient ratings of pain and disability, and 3) patient satisfaction ratings

35 patients showed a fall in clinical signs/symptoms, disability, and pain 1 week after the injection, with maintenance of the reduction in disability at 3 months. Eighty-five percent reported at least some improvement at 1 week and 43% had improvement lasting 3 months. At 3 months 83% were satisfied

Critique