Local application of low-dose Depo-Medrol is effective in reducing immediate postoperative back pain

This prospective, randomised case-control study was made to determine effectiveness of low-dose Depo-Medrol applied to the affected nerve root after discectomy. Fifty seven patients with L4-5 or L5-S1 single level disc herniation with unilateral leg pain were selected for the study and were divided in two groups. Twenty eight patients were in the control group and 29 in the steroid group. Discectomy was done after flavotomy in all patients. In the steroid group low-dose 40 mg Depo-Medrol soaked Gelfoam was applied over the affected nerve root after discectomy while in the control group neither saline nor plain Gelfoam was applied to affected root. Postoperatively, patients were asked to evaluate backache using VAS which was compared statistically using the unpaired t test. Statistical difference was significant (p < 0.0001) regarding postoperative VAS during the first month and then it became insignificant. Results show that local application of low-dose Depo-Medrol is helpful in reducing immediate postoperative backache after discectomy, but it is not effective in the long-term.