title: Evaluation of epidural blockade as therapy for patients with sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sciatic pain secondary to lumbar disc herniation is a complex condition that is often highly limiting. The causes of pain in disc herniation are multifactorial. Two physiopathological mechanisms are involved in discogenic pain: mechanical deformation of nerve roots and a biochemical inflammatory component resulting from contact between the intervertebral disc and neural tissue, by way of the nucleus pulposus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epidural blockade as therapy for bulging lumbar disc herniation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical study was conducted based on a retrospective and prospective survey. The blockade consisted of interlaminar puncture and bolus drug delivery. The number of procedures varied according to the clinical response, as determined through weekly evaluations and then 30, 90, and 180 days after the final session. A total of 124 patients who received one to five blockades were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate (defining success as a reduction in sciatic pain of at least 80%) was 75.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated the therapeutic action of epidural blockade over the short term, i.e. in cases of acute pain, thus showing that intense and excruciating sciatic pain can be relieved through this technique. Because of the multifactorial genesis of sciatica and the difficulties encountered by healthcare professionals in treating this condition, epidural blockade can become part of therapeutic arsenal available. This procedure is situated between conservative treatment with an eminently clinical focus and surgical approaches.
authors: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
authors: Rogerio Carlos Sanfelice
authors: RC
authors: Nunes
authors: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Desenvolvimento na Região Centro-Oeste, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
authors: Elenir Rose Jardim Cury
authors: ER
authors: Pontes
authors: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
authors: Izaias Pereira da
authors: IP
authors: Costa
keywords: Intervertebral disc displacement; Lumbar pain; Nerve block