Scientists say that steroid jabs given to patients suffering from lower back and leg pain may not help relieve pain.
Dr. Janna Friedly, an assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle and the lead author of the study, says that injection of steroids for the treatment of spinal stenosis is a common practice by healthcare professionals. Friedly says that the findings of the study suggest that such steroid jabs are not beneficial to patients and they should consider alternatives.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests that spinal stenosis is common in people who are over 60 years. The condition causes pressure on the spinal nerves, which results in immense pain.
"The pain associated with lumbar stenosis can be excruciating, and patients are understandably looking for relief," says Richard Kronick, Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). "This study raises questions about the benefits of combining corticosteroids with an anesthetic for patients with lumbar stenosis, and it will help patients and their physicians make better informed decisions about treatment options."
Over 2 million injections are used on patients each year who are on Medicare. The steroid injections relieve pain by reducing swelling and inflammation around the compressed spinal nerves. However, alternative treatment such as exercise and surgery may be a better option to get relief from the pain.
Usually, steroid jabs for spinal stenosis are injected along with local anesthetics. The study included 400 patients, who were observed after six weeks of receiving treatment. The researchers randomly selected patients with the combination of steroids and local anesthetic. Some patients were given just local anesthetic.
The researchers say that patients in both the groups initially reported pain relief. Friedly says that after six weeks both the groups showed no significant differences in pain relief. Around 67 percent of the patients who received the combination of steroids and local anesthetic reported that they were "very" or "somewhat" satisfied with the treatment.
On the other hand, 54 percent of the patients who were treated with just local anesthetic reported to be satisfied with the treatment received.
The study also points out that people who received the steroid treatment also showed improvement in certain symptoms of depression. Friedly says that steroid usually improves a person's mood and also reduces fatigue, which may be a reason that reduced depression symptoms.
The latest study now raises a question to scientists if steroids should be given to patients suffering from spinal stenosis.
