The natural course of acute sciatica with nerve root symptoms in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effect of piroxicam.
To study the natural history of acute sciatica, 208 patients with obvious symptoms and signs of a lumbar radiculopathy (L5 and S1) were examined within 14 days of onset. A concomitant double-blind investigation of the effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam was performed. The results measured by visual analog scale and Roland's functional tests showed a satisfactory improvement throughout the 4 weeks of observation. The piroxicam-treated group had same results as the control group. Based on questionnaires at months 3 and 12 approximately 30% of the patients still complained about back trouble and 19.5% were out of work after 1 year. Four patients underwent surgery during this period.
Weber
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Neurological Department, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Holme
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Amlie
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E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012585:Sciatica / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots
D010894:Piroxicam