[Safety and efficacy of movalis injected into trigger points in lumbago-ischialgia syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Pain Management
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Vertebrogenic lumbago-ischialgia syndrome presents a significant challenge in pain management.
• Current treatment options for this condition require further optimization for efficacy and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Movalis (meloxicam) administered via trigger point injections versus intramuscular injections for vertebrogenic lumbago-ischialgia.
• To compare the analgesic effects and patient outcomes between different administration routes of meloxicam.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 94 patients with vertebrogenic lumbago-ischialgia.
• Patients were divided into three groups: trigger point injections, intramuscular injections, and a control group, all receiving meloxicam and subsequent oral administration.
• Efficacy was assessed using the Visual-Analogous Scale, a five-point scale for vertebroneurological symptoms, Oswestry Disability Index, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and electroneuromyography (ENMG).

Main Results:

• No local side-effects were reported for either the trigger point or intramuscular injection groups.
• A more pronounced analgesic effect was observed following three trigger point injections compared to intramuscular injections.
• The highest treatment efficacy was observed in the trigger point injection group (75.6%), followed by the intramuscular group (64.3%), and the control group (33.3%).

Conclusions:

• Movalis (meloxicam) injections into trigger points demonstrate superior efficacy and comparable safety to intramuscular injections for managing vertebrogenic lumbago-ischialgia.
• Trigger point injections represent a promising therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.