Caudal epidural injection versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of low back pain accompanied with radicular pain.

OBJECTIVE:

Low back pain is a highly common problem and causes much morbidity and socioeconomic loss in the community. Although the use of caudal epidural injections in the management of the low back pain with radicular signs is commonplace, it has not been well investigated. We compare the effectiveness of caudal epidural injection versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of low back pain accompanied with radicular pain.

METHODS:

The study was a controlled prospective unblinded trial. A total of consecutive 64 patients with subacute or chronic low back pain accompanied with radicular pain were included. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. First group was caudal epidural injection plus therapeutic exercise group, and the second group was NSAIDs plus therapeutic exercise group. Patients were assessed with 10 cm visual analogue scale for pain, straight leg raising test and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire at the beginning and at 15th day, 1st and 3rd month.

RESULTS:

It was seen that both groups' improvement were good and statistically significant. On the other hand, caudal epidural injection group's improvement was better and faster than the NSAID group's, and the differences between assessment scores of the groups were statistically significant, except the 3rd month Oswestry scores.

CONCLUSION:

Finally, caudal epidural injection in the management of the subacute/chronic low back and radicular pain is a preferable choice, if applied by experienced specialists.