Radiculopaty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Epidural infiltrations are used for treatment of low back pain and sciatica. Linked to lumbar radiculopathy (lumbosacral radicular syndrome). This study evaluates the efficacy of epidural infiltration by different routes to reduce pain intensity, disability and return to work. METHODS: Is a prospective observational study in one hundred consecutive patients sent to pain unit for severe lumbo-sacral radiculopaty. We analyze the efficacy on pain relief (Visual Analogue Scale) and funcional status at two weeks, one month, and three months after epidural injection of local anesthetics and esteroids with differents approachs (interlaminar, caudal and transforaminal)...

The author determined efficiency of application of no-steroid anti-inflammatory medication, Revmoxicam as well as phonophoresis with Khondrasil ointment in the complex therapy of patients with vertebral radiculopaties. The use of the proposed complex treatment enables the regression of neurological symptoms and allows improving considerably results of the treatment of patients with vertebral radiculopaties.

Neck pain is common. Conservative treatment is usually successful. Cervical radiculopaty is usually caused by a disc herniation. Conservative treatment is generally successful, however surgery is indicated if radicular pain is severe and persistent for more than 6 to 12 wk. Spinal cord compression and long-tract symptoms may be caused by a central cervical disc herniation, treatment is by anterior disc excision, bone grafting or metal fusion cages. Confirmation of the clinical level of disc herniation must be made by imaging (CT and (or) MRI)...

Experience with median nerve SEPs in the diagnosis of brachial plexus lesions is analysed in 49 patients selected from a total material of 264 cases with brachial plexus problems tested by SEP techniques. Median nerve SEPs were always compared with the results of SEPs after stimulation of at least one other nerve relevant to the site of the lesion as suspected clinically and electromyographically. All patients presented with unilateral brachial plexus problems and all root lesions were verified by clinical presentation, EMG studies, myelogram or surgery...