Efficacy of Early Decompression Surgery Versus Epidural Injection in Management of Sciatica Due to Lumbar Disc Herniation–A Randomised Control Trial

Introduction: Sciatica is one of the most excruciating type of pain resulting due to irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Pain radiates along the distribution of the sciatic nerve in the lower limb. Lumbar disc herniation is commonly implicated as a cause of sciatica. Treatment options include initial conservative approach with epidural injection and analgesics and in patients with no relief decompression surgery performed. The short-term efficacy of the epidural injections is well established but the long-term outcome remains controversial. Even, spinal decompression surgeries have shown significant relief of symptoms at short term but in long term remain doubtful. This study attempts to compare both these treatment options in people with disabling chronic sciatic pain. Materials and Method: This prospective randomized controlled trial conducted on 25 patients for duration of 1 year with sciatica symptoms lasting for more than 6 weeks. Complete history and examination with imaging studies was carried out with pain assessment done by using a Roland Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Follow up Assessment of the patient’s were done at regular interval of 0, 2, 4, 12, 26, 52 weeks post intervention. Results: Of the 25 patients 12 were assigned randomly to early surgery group and 13 to epidural injection group. Immediate post-op and follow up assessment showed significant improvement in pain and disability scores for patients randomized to early surgery group with a significant difference between areas under the curve. The short-term benefit of early surgery was no longer significant by 6 months and by the end of 1 year outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Early surgery achieved more rapid relief of sciatica than conservative care, but outcomes were similar by one year in patients of both groups.