Oral steroids for acute radiculopathy due to a herniated lumbar disk: a randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Oral steroids are commonly used to treat acute sciatica due to a herniated disk but have not been evaluated in an appropriately powered clinical trial.

Objective

To determine if oral prednisone is more effective than placebo in improving function and pain among patients with acute sciatica.

Design, setting, and participants

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted from 2008 to 2013 in a large integrated health care delivery system in Northern California. Adults (n=269) with radicular pain for 3 months or less, an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score of 30 or higher (range, 0-100; higher scores indicate greater dysfunction), and a herniated disk confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were eligible.

Interventions

Particip

SUBMITTER: Goldberg H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5875432 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature