Comparing the effects of epidural methylprednisolone acetate injected in patients with pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated disks: a prospective study

Figures & data

Table 1 Differences in demographic data, symptoms, and physical findings between LSS and HD patients

Variables	LSS (n = 28)	HD (n = 32)	P value
Age (year) (mean ± SD)	46.7 ± 12.1	42.6 ± 10.9	0.17
Sex (male/female)	12/16	17/15	>0.05
Pain duration (months) (mean ± SD)	25.3 ± 25.2	21.8 ± 19.6	0.5
Body mass index (mean ± SD)	25.7 ± 2.8	25.5 ± 3.5	0.5
Pre-injection physical impairment index (number percent)
Active	4 (14.3%)	5 (15.6%)
Reduced productivity	14 (50%)	18 (56.3%)	0.6
Not active	10 (35.7%)	9 (28.1%)

Abbreviations: LSS, lumbar spinal stenosis; HD, herniated disk.

Table 2 Degree of pain in patients of two groups during different times

Variables	LSS (n = 28) (mean ± SD)	HD (n = 32) (mean ± SD)	P value
Pre-injection pain	7.0 ± 1.3	6.3 ± 1.1	0.02
Pain 2 months after injection	4.8 ± 2.3	3.1 ± 2.0	0.007
Pain 6 months after injection	4.4 ± 2.8	2.9 ± 2.5	0.04

Abbreviations: LSS, lumbar spinal stenosis; HD, herniated disk.