Abstract
Introduction
The pain interventionism is the fourth step in the pharmacological treatment of back pain, being used longer than the spinal blocks. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of spinal blockade in patients with chronic sciatica.
Patients and Methods
A total of 29 patients with chronic sciatica spine surgery unit of the University Hospital “Dr. Manuel Nunez Tovar” were evaluated by identifying the degree of pain and functional disability by visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), underwent spinal block procedure, according to the affected level and subsequently performed feedbacks to the first and fourth week.
Results
The mean VAS score was 8.59 at baseline and 5.21 and 4.72 for the first and fourth week, showing an improvement in the perception of moderate-to-severe pain. The ODI was 56.21% at start and 39.45% and 32.38% at the first and fourth week, obtaining a reduction of severe functional disability to moderate. The patient's history was not a determining factor in the perception of pain and functional capacity. No evidence of significant statistical relationships between the results of the VAS and ODI application type, number of injection, and corticosteroid use were observed.
Conclusion
Spinal blocks are an effective method per se for the management of chronic low back pain with radicular commitment and its effects are not altered by the type of corticosteroid, number, and type of injection.