Sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation is a common disease and can be treated with different modalities. Objectives: (1). To comment on treatments for sciatica induced by lumbar disc herniation in the Rheumatology department, Bach Mai hospital from 2010 to 2011. (2). To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatments applied. Subjects: 60 patients with sicatica caused by lumbar disc herniation treated in the Rheumatology department, Bach mai hospital from 06 January 2010 to 01 April 2011 were diagnosed based on clinical features and lumbar MRI. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Results: (1) There were 3 methods used, including medications (NSAIDs, analgesics and muscle relaxant) (100 percent), epidural injection (90 percent), rehabilitation (60 percent). 56.7 percent patients were treated with combination of the 3 methods. Average number of days of treatment was 11.27 + or - 3.19. (2). Treatments were effective in 93 percent patients. VAS evaluated after treatments was 2.08 + or - 1.05 compared to 5.83 + or - 1.08 at the beginning of the treatments (p0.001)
Straightleg raising test was 82.17 + or - 5.99° compared to 57.92 + or - 17.11° before treatments (p0.001)
100 percent patients had moderate to severe pain while this number was only 20 percent after treatments. The recurrence was 9.09 percent and average period of recurrence was 6.67 + or - 3.21 months (ranged from 3-9 months). Regims were safe with a adverse effect rate less than 7 percent. Conclusion: There were 3 treatment methods employed, including medications (100 percent), epidural injection (90 percent), and rehabilitation (60 percent). 56.7 percent patients were treated with combination of the three methods. Average time needed for treatments was 11.27 + or - 3.19 days
Effectiveness was seen in 93.5 percent patients. Recurrence rate was 9.09 percent. The treatments were safe.