Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con­trol Trial

<p><b><i>Study Design: </i></b>A randomized, active control, double-blind trial. <i>Objective</i>: To evaluate the effectiveness of fluoroscopically directed caudal epidural injections with or without steroids in managing chronic low back and lower extremity...

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Main Author: Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ivyspring International Publisher 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Medical Sciences
Online Access:http://www.medsci.org/v09p0582.htm
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author Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta
author_facet Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta
author_sort Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta
collection DOAJ
description <p><b><i>Study Design: </i></b>A randomized, active control, double-blind trial. <i>Objective</i>: To evaluate the effectiveness of fluoroscopically directed caudal epidural injections with or without steroids in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain secondary to post lumbar surgery syndrome. <i>Summary of Background Data</i>: There is a paucity of evidence concerning caudal epidural injections for managing chronic persistent low back pain with or without lower extremity pain caused by post lumbar surgery syndrome.</p><p><b><i>Methods: </i></b>This active control randomized study included 140 patients with 70 patients in each group. Group I received 0.5% lidocaine, 10 mL; Group II received 9 mL of 0.5% lidocaine mixed with 1 mL of 6 mg of nonparticulate betamethasone. The multiple outcome measures included the numeric rating scale, the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, employment status, and opioid intake with assessments at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months posttreatment. Primary outcome was defined as at least 50% improvement in pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores. Patients with a positive response to the first 2 procedures with at least 3 weeks of relief were considered to be successful. All others were considered as failures.</p><p><b><i>Results: </i></b>Overall in Group I, 53% and 47% of the patients and in Group II, 59% and 58% of the patients, showed significant improvement with reduction in pain scores and disability index at 12 months and 24 months. In contrast, in the successful groups, significant pain relief and improvement in function were observed in 70% and 62% of Group I at one and 2 years; in 75% and 69% of Group II at one and 2 years. The results in the successful group showed that at the end of the first year patients experienced approximately 38 weeks of relief and at the end of 2 years Group I had 62 weeks and Group II had 68 weeks of relief. Overall total relief for 2 years was 48 weeks in Group I and 54 weeks in Group II. The average procedures in the successful groups were at 4 in one year and 6 at the end of 2 years.</p><p><b><i>Conclusion: </i></b>Caudal epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroid might be effective in patients with chronic persistent low back and/or lower extremity pain in patients with post lumbar surgery syndrome.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-a7e798b7ead7456795e5b93a83634b542022-12-22T01:04:56ZengIvyspring International PublisherInternational Journal of Medical Sciences1449-19072012-01-0197582591Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol TrialLaxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta<p><b><i>Study Design: </i></b>A randomized, active control, double-blind trial. <i>Objective</i>: To evaluate the effectiveness of fluoroscopically directed caudal epidural injections with or without steroids in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain secondary to post lumbar surgery syndrome. <i>Summary of Background Data</i>: There is a paucity of evidence concerning caudal epidural injections for managing chronic persistent low back pain with or without lower extremity pain caused by post lumbar surgery syndrome.</p><p><b><i>Methods: </i></b>This active control randomized study included 140 patients with 70 patients in each group. Group I received 0.5% lidocaine, 10 mL; Group II received 9 mL of 0.5% lidocaine mixed with 1 mL of 6 mg of nonparticulate betamethasone. The multiple outcome measures included the numeric rating scale, the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, employment status, and opioid intake with assessments at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months posttreatment. Primary outcome was defined as at least 50% improvement in pain and Oswestry Disability Index scores. Patients with a positive response to the first 2 procedures with at least 3 weeks of relief were considered to be successful. All others were considered as failures.</p><p><b><i>Results: </i></b>Overall in Group I, 53% and 47% of the patients and in Group II, 59% and 58% of the patients, showed significant improvement with reduction in pain scores and disability index at 12 months and 24 months. In contrast, in the successful groups, significant pain relief and improvement in function were observed in 70% and 62% of Group I at one and 2 years; in 75% and 69% of Group II at one and 2 years. The results in the successful group showed that at the end of the first year patients experienced approximately 38 weeks of relief and at the end of 2 years Group I had 62 weeks and Group II had 68 weeks of relief. Overall total relief for 2 years was 48 weeks in Group I and 54 weeks in Group II. The average procedures in the successful groups were at 4 in one year and 6 at the end of 2 years.</p><p><b><i>Conclusion: </i></b>Caudal epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroid might be effective in patients with chronic persistent low back and/or lower extremity pain in patients with post lumbar surgery syndrome.</p>http://www.medsci.org/v09p0582.htm
spellingShingle Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Vijay Singh, Kimberly A. Cash, Vidyasagar Pampati, Sukdeb Datta
Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
International Journal of Medical Sciences
title Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
title_full Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
title_fullStr Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
title_full_unstemmed Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
title_short Fluoroscopic Caudal Epidural Injections in Managing Post Lumbar Surgery Syndrome: Two-Year Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Con&#173;trol Trial
title_sort fluoroscopic caudal epidural injections in managing post lumbar surgery syndrome two year results of a randomized double blind active con 173 trol trial
url http://www.medsci.org/v09p0582.htm
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