The purpose of this study is to determine whether pharmacotherapy or epidural steroid injections are a better treatment for lumbosacral radicular pain. 142 patients referred to a participating pain clinic with lumbosacral radiculopathy will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive one of two treatments. Half (n=71) of the patients will be allocated to receive an epidural steroid injection (ESI; group I), with an equal number allocated to receive gabapentin (group II). Patients \& evaluating physicians will be blinded. Follow-up will be through 3-months after treatment.
142 patients referred to a participating pain clinic with lumbosacral radiculopathy will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive one of two treatments. Half (n=71) of the patients will be allocated to receive an ESI (group I), with an equal number allocated to receive gabapentin (group II). Group I patients with unilateral symptoms will receive (unilateral) transforaminal ESI, while those with bilateral symptoms will receive (central) interlaminar ESI, as is common practice. In group II patients who receive gabapentin, the dose will be titrated to between 1800 mg/d and 2700 mg/d in TID dosing, but may be lowered or elevated (up to 3600 mg/d) depending on the clinical circumstances. To ensure blinding, these patients will also receive midline (for patients with bilateral symptoms who would receive interlaminar ESI) or unilateral paraspinal (for patients with unilateral symptoms who would receive transforaminal ESI) normal saline into the interspinal ligaments or paraspinal musculature, respectively. Injections and medication titration will commence on the same day. Rescue medications will consist of tramadol 50 mg 1 to 2 tablets every 6 hours PRN (up to 8/d) and/or ibuprofen 400-800 mg every 6 hours PRN (not-to-exceed 3000 mg/d). Patients already taking analgesics, including opioids, can continue on these medications "as needed". The first follow-up visit will be scheduled 1-month from the start of treatment. A positive outcome will be defined as a \> 2-point decrease in leg pain coupled with a positive satisfaction rating. Subjects who obtain a positive outcome at their initial 1-month follow-up visit will remain in the study and return for the final 3-month follow-up visit. Those with a negative outcome will exit the study "per protocol" to receive standard care, which may consist of unblinded ESI, medical management with drugs such as gabapentin (for those who did not receive gabapentin) and antidepressants, and physical therapy. Subjects who obtain a positive outcome at 1-month but experience a recurrence before their 3-month follow-up visit will also exit the study per protocol, with their final outcome measures recorded before they receive standard care. At all follow-up visits, pill counts will be conducted to determine medication compliance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
145
Injection of steroids and local anesthetic into the epidural space
Injection of saline into the back muscles
Titration of gabapentin to effect
Naval Hospital-San Diego
San Diego, California, United States
Johns Hopkins
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Average Leg Pain at 1 Month Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the average leg pain at baseline to the average leg pain 1 month after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 1 month after the start of treatment
Average Leg Pain at 3 Months Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the average leg pain at baseline to the average leg pain 3 month after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 3 months from the start of treatment
Worst Leg Pain at 1 Month Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the average leg pain at baseline to the average leg pain 1 month after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 1 month from the start of treatment
Worst Leg Pain at 3 Months Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the worst leg pain at baseline to the worst leg pain at 3 months after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 3 months from the start of treatment
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Titration of placebo gabapentin
Average Back Pain at 1 Month Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the average back pain at baseline to the average back pain 1 month after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 1 month fromt he start of treatment
Average Back Pain at 3 Months Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the average back pain at baseline to the average back pain at 3 months after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 3 months from the start of treatment
Outcomes Related to Disability Measured at 1 Month Using the Oswestry Disability Index
Functional capacity measured using Oswestry disability index. The range of possible scores for Oswestry Disability Index are 0-100. 0 is equated with no disability and 100 is the maximum disability possible.
Time frame: 1 month after the start of treatment
Outcomes Related to Disability Measured at 3 Month Using the Oswestry Disability Index
Functional capacity measured using Oswestry disability index. The range of possible scores for Oswestry Disability Index are 0-100. 0 is equated with no disability and 100 is the maximum disability possible.
Time frame: 3 months after the start of treatment
Global Perceived Effect of Treatment at 3 Months After the Start of Treatment
The participant is asked "Are you satisfied with the treatment you have received so far? Participants could respond yes or no. This is measured 3 months after the start of treatment.
Time frame: 3 months after the start of treatment
Global Perceived Effect of Treatment at 1 Month After the Start of Treatment
The participant is asked "Are you satisfied with the treatment you have received so far? Participants could respond yes or no. This is measured 1 month after the start of treatment.
Time frame: 1 month after the start of treatment
Worst Back Pain at 1 Month Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the worst back pain at baseline to the worst back pain at 1 months after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 1 month from the start of treatment
Worst Back Pain at 3 Months Measured Using the Numeric Pain Scale
This outcome measure compares the worst back pain at baseline to the worst back pain at 3 months after the start of treatment. This is measured using the Numeric Pain Scale. The Numeric Pain Scale ranges from 0-10. 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst imaginable pain possible. The epidural steroid injection group is compared to the gabapentin group.
Time frame: 3 months after the start of treatment
Proceeded to Surgery Within Year of Enrollment
This is a measure of participants that proceeded to surgery within a year of enrollment
Time frame: Measured within the year of enrollment in the study