title: Corticosteroids peroperatively diminishes damage to the C-fibers in microscopic lumbar disc surgery.
abstract: METHODS
  A subgroup analysis of patient outcomes from a double-blind randomized controlled study comparing corticosteroid versus saline in microscopic lumbar disc surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study if the use of corticosteroids combined with surgery alleviates the damage to the nerve fibers in lumbar disc herniation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The use of quantitative sensory testing can detect damage to the myelinated A-delta fibers (cold sense) and the unmyelinated C-fibers (warmth sense). Corticosteroids combined with surgery in lumbar disc surgery enhance the outcome after surgery in terms of less pain and more rapid rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analyzing quantitative sensory testing before surgery and after 2 weeks and 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the corticosteroid group, we saw a statistically significant normalization for the warmth disturbance comparing with control group, which not was detected concerning the cold disturbance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of corticosteroids combined with surgery seems to protect some of the damage to the C-fibers in lumbar disc herniation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. anders.lundin@orebroll.se
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lundin
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Magnuson
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Axelsson
authors.forename: Olof
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samuelsson
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone