title: Local application of low-dose Depo-Medrol is effective in reducing immediate postoperative back pain.
abstract: This prospective, randomised case-control study was made to determine effectiveness of low-dose Depo-Medrol applied to the affected nerve root after discectomy. Fifty seven patients with L4-5 or L5-S1 single level disc herniation with unilateral leg pain were selected for the study and were divided in two groups. Twenty eight patients were in the control group and 29 in the steroid group. Discectomy was done after flavotomy in all patients. In the steroid group low-dose 40 mg Depo-Medrol soaked Gelfoam was applied over the affected nerve root after discectomy while in the control group neither saline nor plain Gelfoam was applied to affected root. Postoperatively, patients were asked to evaluate backache using VAS which was compared statistically using the unpaired t test. Statistical difference was significant (p < 0.0001) regarding postoperative VAS during the first month and then it became insignificant. Results show that local application of low-dose Depo-Medrol is helpful in reducing immediate postoperative backache after discectomy, but it is not effective in the long-term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hiteshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.forename: Kook Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hoi Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Hui Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jung Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017586:Diskectomy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008775:Methylprednisolone