Transforaminal epidural Etanercept for the treatment of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc induced sciatica

Recent Advancements in Epidural Etanercept for Pain Management in Radiculopathy: A Literature Review

The most common etiology of low back and neck pain is associated with spinal cord pathologies. Regardless of origin, low back and neck pain are some of the most common causes of disability worldwide. Mechanical compression due to spinal cord diseases, such as degenerative disc disorders, can lead to radiculopathy, which manifests as numbness or tingling and can progress to loss of muscle function. Conservative management, such as physical therapy, has not been proven effective in treating radiculopathy, and surgical treatments have more risks than benefits for most patients. Epidural disease-modifying medications, such as Etanercept, have been recently explored due to their minimal invasiveness and direct effects on inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Therefore, this literature review aims to evaluate epidural Etanercept's effect on radiculopathy caused by degenerative disc diseases. Epidural Etanercept has been shown to improve radiculopathy in patients with lumbar disc degeneration, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. Further research is needed to compare the effectiveness of Etanercept with commonly used treatments such as steroids and analgesia.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of physiotherapy intervention in management of lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to analyze the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions in management of lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc (PIVD).

METHOD

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in PubMed and Cochrane Library using related keywords and advanced option, from commencement to January 2019. Quality of researches was assessed by PEDro scoring. Risk of bias and homogeneity were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool and I²value, respectively. Meta-analysis of included study was done using "Review manager (Software, version 5.3)."

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs were included in this systematic review. Six RCTs were excluded from meta-analysis due to insufficient data availability. Meta-analysis reveals significant decrease in pain (P = 0.001, mean difference (MD) -0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.35 to -1.48) and disability (P < 0.0001; MD -5.76; 95%CI; -3.18 to -8.34) with moderate heterogeneity (I2=40%; P = 0.17, I2=54%; P = 0.09, respectively). There was non-significant improvement in straight leg raise (SLR), P = 0.07; MD 7.96; 95%CI; -0.59-16.51 with moderate heterogeneity (I2=56%; P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

Physiotherapy interventions are effective in management of lumbar PIVD. Physiological and biomechanical factors such as correction of the displaced disc, opening of the foramina, increase in intervertebral space, and reduction in herniation size with negative intradiscal pressure may be possible mechanisms.