Conservative treatment in patients with an acute lumbosacral radicular syndrome: design of a randomised clinical trial [ISRCTN68857256]. (57/283)

BACKGROUND: The objective is to present the design of randomised clinical trial (RCT) on the effectiveness of physical therapy added to general practitioners management compared to general practitioners management only in patients with an acute lumbosacral radicular syndrome (also called sciatica). METHODS/DESIGN: Patients in general practice diagnosed with an acute (less than 6 weeks) lumbosacral radicular syndrome and an age above 18 years are eligible for participation. The general practitioners treatment follows their clinical guideline. The physical therapy treatment will consist of patient education and exercise therapy. The primary outcome measure is patients reported global perceived effect. Secondary outcome measures are severity of complaints, functional status, health status, fear of movement, medical consumption, sickness absence, costs and treatment preference. The follow-up is 52 weeks. DISCUSSION: Treatment by general practitioners and physical therapists in this study will be transparent and not a complete "black box". The results of this trial will contribute to the decision of the general practitioner regarding referral to physical therapy in patients with an acute lumbosacral radicular syndrome.  (+info)

Epidural steroids for back and leg pain: mechanism of action and efficacy. (58/283)

Epidural injections of glucocorticoids may help some patients with back and leg pain. The efficacy of this therapy has not been conclusively proved; however, when weighed against the risks, cost, and outcomes of spinal surgery, epidural glucocorticoids are a reasonable alternative in selected patients whose back and leg pain is functionally limiting. We review the rationale, available data, techniques, and indications for these injections.  (+info)

Revision of a Charite artificial disc 9.5 years in vivo to a new Charite artificial disc: case report and explant analysis. (59/283)

This report describes a case of one-level total disc replacement (TDR) of L5-S1 requiring revision at 9.5 years following the index surgery due to polyethylene failure caused by high oxidation. Primary revision strategies for TDR include instrumented posterolateral fusion, or 360 degrees fusion with replacement of the prosthesis with cages or allograft bone. A revision of a TDR with a similar prosthesis has not been described in the literature. An active 42-year-old female underwent TDR with a Charite artificial disc. She remained active and pain free for 9.5 years before presenting with moderate low-back pain and sciatica. Radiographic studies confirmed a fragmented polyethylene core. The failed prosthesis was revised to a new Charite disc with the patient again active and pain free for 6 months following surgery. Chemical and physical analysis of the core indicated high oxidation due to gamma sterilization in air; a process changed to gamma sterilization in nitrogen in 1998 to meet industry standards. No evidence of wear debris was noted. Revision of an artificial disc with an artificial disc can be performed safely and adequately with the Charite disc prosthesis as an alternative to fusion necessitated by a device failure. An anterior revision approach carries significant risk and should only be performed by surgeons experienced in anterior lumbar surgery.  (+info)

Comparison of caudal steroid epidural with targeted steroid placement during spinal endoscopy for chronic sciatica: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. (60/283)

BACKGROUND: Chronic sciatica can be managed by caudal steroid epidural or by targeted steroid placement during spinal endoscopy. Spinal endoscopy is a new unproven procedure. We aimed to compare the two pain management techniques and to investigate whether the site of steroid placement within the epidural space was significant. METHODS: We randomized 60 patients with a 6-18 months history of sciatica to either targeted epidural local anaesthetic and steroid placement with a spinal endoscope or caudal epidural local anaesthetic and steroid treatment. Pre-treatment and 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month SF-MPQ and HAD scores were recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups for any of the measures at any time. However, there were significant differences within both groups compared with pre-treatment values. For the caudal group, significant improvements were found for descriptive pain at 6 months (P=0.031), VAS at 6 weeks (P=0.036), 3 months (P=0.026), and 6 months (P=0.003), present pain intensity (PPI) at 3 months (P=0.013) and 6 months (P=0.01); anxiety at 6 weeks (P=0.008), 3 months (P=0.004), and 6 months (P=0.001) and depression at 6 months only (P=0.037). For the epiduroscopy group there were fewer significant changes. PPI was significantly reduced at 6 weeks (P=0.004) and at 6 months (P=0.02). Anxiety was reduced at 6 months only (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The targeted placement of epidural steroid onto the affected nerve root causing sciatica does not significantly reduce pain intensity and anxiety and depression compared with untargeted caudal epidural steroid injection. When analysed individually, both techniques benefited patients.  (+info)

Prolonged conservative treatment or 'early' surgery in sciatica caused by a lumbar disc herniation: rationale and design of a randomized trial [ISRCT 26872154]. (61/283)

BACKGROUND: The design of a randomized multicenter trial is presented on the effectiveness of a prolonged conservative treatment strategy compared with surgery in patients with persisting intense sciatica (lumbosacral radicular syndrome). METHODS/DESIGN: Patients presenting themselves to their general practitioner with disabling sciatica lasting less than twelve weeks are referred to the neurology outpatient department of one of the participating hospitals. After confirmation of the diagnosis and surgical indication MRI scanning is performed. If a distinct disc herniation is discerned which in addition covers the clinically expected site the patient is eligible for randomization. Depending on the outcome of the randomization scheme the patient will either be submitted to prolonged conservative care or surgery. Surgery will be carried out according to the guidelines and between six and twelve weeks after onset of complaints. The experimental therapy consists of a prolonged conservative treatment under supervision of the general practitioner, which may be followed by surgical intervention in case of persisting or progressive disability. The main primary outcome measure is the disease specific disability of daily functioning. Other primary outcome measures are perceived recovery and intensity of legpain. Secondary outcome measures encompass severity of complaints, quality of life, medical consumption, absenteeism, costs and preference. The main research question will be answered at 12 months after randomization. The total follow-up period covers two years. DISCUSSION: Evidence is lacking concerning the optimal treatment of lumbar disc induced sciatica. This pragmatic randomized trial, focusses on the 'timing' of intervention, and will contribute to the decision of the general practictioner and neurologist, regarding referral of patients for surgery.  (+info)

Determinants of lumbar artery occlusion among patients with sciatica: a three-year follow-up with magnetic resonance angiography. (62/283)

We showed previously that chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection increases the risk of lumbar artery occlusion. We did not evaluate, however, the effect of other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in combination with this chronic infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of chronic C. pneumoniae infection and other known determinants of artery occlusion in a population of sciatica patients. Two-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was used to evaluate lumbar arteries at baseline and three years. The arteries on both sides (L1-L4) were evaluated visually and scored as normal, narrowed or occluded. Logistic regression analysis was performed separately for baseline total arterial stenosis and each L1-L4 segmental artery pair, and for incident new stenosis during the follow-up period. The determinants analyzed included age, body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), education, gender, and smoking, in addition to presence of chronic C. pneumoniae infection. MRA was obtained at baseline for 147 patients and at 3 years for 134 patients. Sixty-four (47.8%) of 134 patients had new arterial stenosis. Total incidence of new arterial stenosis was distributed quite evenly between the individual segmental levels, varying from 12.7 to 18.6%. BMI was the only predictor of new arterial stenosis (odds ratio (OR) 1.13). A reasonable logistic model could be established only for baseline L4 and total arterial scores. At L4, education was a protective factor (OR 0.07), whereas age (OR for the oldest age group 6.7) and BMI (OR 1.17) were associated with increased risk of occlusion. For total arterial score, chronic C. pneumoniae infection was an independent determinant of arterial occlusion, increasing the risk to almost eightfold. Additionally, BMI (OR 1.16), and age (for the oldest age group OR 11.4) were significant determinants for stenosis. Smoking was not statistically significant. As chronic C. pneumoniae infection was an independent determinant of lumbar artery occlusion, treatments of this chronic infection may have an impact on lumbar diseases. The importance of BMI for new arterial stenosis suggests that weight reduction may also have a beneficial effect in lumbar artery disease.  (+info)

Crystal arthropathy of the lumbar spine: a series of six cases and a review of the literature. (63/283)

There have been very few reports in the literature of gout and pseudogout of the spine. We describe six patients who presented with acute sciatica attributable to spinal stenosis with cyst formation in the facet joints. Cytopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of crystal arthropathy in each case. Specific formation of a synovial cyst was identified pre-operatively by MRI in five patients. In the sixth, the diagnosis was made incidentally during decompressive surgery. Surgical decompression alone was undertaken in four patients. In one with an associated degenerative spondylolisthesis, an additional intertransverse fusion was performed. Another patient had previously undergone a spinal fusion adjacent to the involved spinal segment, and spinal stabilisation was undertaken as well as a decompression. In addition to standard histological examination material was sent for examination under polarised light which revealed deposition of urate or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in all cases. It is not possible to diagnose gout and pseudogout of the spine by standard examination of a fixed specimen. However, examining dry specimens under polarised light suggests that crystal arthropathy is a significant aetiological factor in the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis associated with cyst formation in a facet joint.  (+info)

Controlling neuropathic pain by adeno-associated virus driven production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10. (64/283)

Despite many decades of drug development, effective therapies for neuropathic pain remain elusive. The recent recognition of spinal cord glia and glial pro-inflammatory cytokines as important contributors to neuropathic pain suggests an alternative therapeutic strategy; that is, targeting glial activation or its downstream consequences. While several glial-selective drugs have been successful in controlling neuropathic pain in animal models, none are optimal for human use. Thus the aim of the present studies was to explore a novel approach for controlling neuropathic pain. Here, an adeno-associated viral (serotype II; AAV2) vector was created that encodes the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10). This anti-inflammatory cytokine is known to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Upon intrathecal administration, this novel AAV2-IL-10 vector was successful in transiently preventing and reversing neuropathic pain. Intrathecal administration of an AAV2 vector encoding beta-galactosidase revealed that AAV2 preferentially infects meningeal cells surrounding the CSF space. Taken together, these data provide initial support that intrathecal gene therapy to drive the production of IL-10 may prove to be an efficacious treatment for neuropathic pain.  (+info)