Medical journal, Armed Forces India
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Med J Armed Forces India · Jan 2011
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Three Different Steroid Agents for Treatment of Low Backache through the Caudal Route.
Although epidural steroids are commonly used for conservative management of sciatica, controversies exist regarding optimal approach, type and dose of steroids, volume of injectate and frequency of administration. This randomized comparative blinded study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of caudal methylprednisolone acetate with triamcinolone acetonide and dexamethasone acetate, for pain relief for sciatica associated with lumbar-disk herniations. ⋯ Short-term improvement in leg pain and sensory deficits was observed in patients with sciatica due to a herniated nucleus pulposus with both epidural bupivacaine and steroids. All long-acting steroids had no statistically significant difference between their efficacy in pain relief but methylprednisolone and triamcinolone were more effective by the second injection as compared to dexamethasone which required a third injection in a significant number of cases. Differences between methylprednisolone and triamcinolone were insignificant. Complications were negligible and temporary.