Epidural Steroid Following Discectomy for Herniated Lumbar Disc Reduces Neurological Impairment and Enhances Recovery Medscape

Description: Epidural Steroid Following Discectomy for Herniated Lumbar Disc Reduces Neurological Impairment and Enhances Recovery: A Randomized Study With Two-Year Follow-up.
Study Design: We randomized 200 patients after lumbar discectomy to receive epidural steroid or none with a 2-year follow-up.
Results: Hospital stay was reduced from 8 to 6 days (P = 0.0001) and the number of patients with neurologic signs were reduced more (70% vs. 44%, P = 0.0004) by epidural steroid. Incidence of reoperation at 1 year was 6% in both groups and 8% in the control group and 7% in the intervention group after 2 years. No infections were registered.
Conclusion: Epidural methylprednisolone enhances recovery after discectomy for herniated disc disease without apparent side effects.
Sten Rasmussen, MD; David Stonor Krum-Møller, MD; Lene Risbro Lauridsen; Søren Erik Holst Jensen, MD; Hans Mandøe, MD; Christian Gerlif, MD; Henrik Kehlet, PhD Spine. 2008;33(19):2028-2033