Evaluation of Chronic Back Pain Improvement after Single Dose of Epidural Steroid Plus Lignocaine Injection in both Genders at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate chronic back pain improvement after single dose of epidural steroid plus li- gnocaine injection in both sexes. Methods: A consecutive cases series of 65 patients having age of ³18 to 80 years and of both sexes from one institution were retrospectively studied. The study was conducted from January 2011 to July It was designed to evaluate the pain improvement after single dose of epidural steroid plus li- gnocaine injection with lumbar interlaminar technique in chronic back pain patients. Patients were di- vided into two groups, to assess the effectiveness of pain relief following the injection in between different age groups with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), evidence of lumber disc prolapse and non-responder to oral medication were included. Those having red-flags (neurosurgical deficit) for surgical intervention were excluded from the study. Chronic back pain patients were treated with single dose of lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid plus lignocaine injection. Follow-up visits were carried out to assess pain reduction by patient perception as well as decrease requirement of oral medication. Result: Out of all 65 patients, 28 were male. Mean age of 50.04 ± 14.26 range 18-80 years. After the epidural steroid plus lignocaine injection, all patients of both the groups showed decrease in pain severity, evidenced by both patient perception and decrease requirement for oral medication. There was no gender difference. Two patients needed second injection after interval of 6 months. One fe- male developed spinal anaesthesia after the injection, who recovered within 1 week. Conclusion: This study concludes that epidural injection of steroid plus lignocaine is effective and safe in relieving chronic back pain in both sexes.