Table 2

Controlled intraspinal steroid investigations of pain from disc disease and spinal stenosis 1973–98. Prospective studies of 468 subjects comparing methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol sterile aqueous suspension) with placebo and sham injections

First author(y; ref)ControlsWith steroidPlacebo or sham injection
nSciatica improved (%)2-150(n=219)nSciatica improved (%)2-150 (n=249)
24 h–3 w8–120 w24 h–3 w8–120 w
Dilke 197340 Double blind, randomised3546 at 2 w98 at 12 w3611 at 2 w82 at 12 w
Snoek 197741 Double blind, randomised2726at 48 hNo long term2413 at 48 hNo long term
Klenerman 198442 Randomised1979 at 2 wNo long term4473 at 2 wNo long term
Cuckler 198543 Double blind, randomised2232 at 24 h26 at 52–120 w1436 at 24 h15 at 52–120 w
Carette 199744 Double blind, randomised7733 at 3 w55 at 12 w8029 at 3 w55 at 12 w
Pseudoclaudication pain improved (spinal stenosis) (%)
Cuckler 198543 Double blind, randomised2025 at 24 h22 at 52–120 w1718 at 24 h14 at 52–120 w
Fukusaki M2-151 199845 Randomised1916 at 4 w5 at 12 w3412 at 4 w6 at 12 w
Average improvement37412734

  • ↵2-150 Patient evaluation scales of pain relief “relieved, none, not severe, mild, intermediate, severe” (using questionnaire or visual analogue).

  • ↵2-151 Results recorded in walking distance (m).