Background: Cervicobrachial pain (CBP) is often resistant to conventional oral analgesics. We hypothesized that periradicular injection of meloxicam would produce a significant reduction in intractable CBP. The secondary objective was to assess the impact on functional recovery. Methods: 48 patients with persistent CBP despite multimodal analgesic therapy received 1-3 periradicular injections of meloxicam, 5-20 mg, at the dermatomal level(s) corresponding to their pain symptoms. Pain level (0=none to 10=severe), rescue analgesics and functional activity were recorded at baseline for 90 days after the last injection. The injection was repeated if the pain score remained >3 or paraesthesia persisted. Results: The mean pain score was reduced from a baseline of 8.9 (±1, SD) to 1.7 (±2.2, SD) at 90 days after the last meloxicam injection. After the meloxicam treatment(s), only 13% of the patients required oral analgesics as rescue medication. All patients increased their functional activity level. Conclusion: Cervical periradicular injection of meloxicam reduced CBP by 81% at 90d and improved functional recovery.
Borghi, B., Aurini, L., White, P.F., Rossi, B., Fini, G., Mosca, M., et al. (2016). Treatment of chronic cervicobrachial pain with periradicular injection of meloxicam. MINERVA ANESTESIOLOGICA, 82(4), 411-418.
Treatment of chronic cervicobrachial pain with periradicular injection of meloxicam
BORGHI, BATTISTA;
2016
Abstract
Background: Cervicobrachial pain (CBP) is often resistant to conventional oral analgesics. We hypothesized that periradicular injection of meloxicam would produce a significant reduction in intractable CBP. The secondary objective was to assess the impact on functional recovery. Methods: 48 patients with persistent CBP despite multimodal analgesic therapy received 1-3 periradicular injections of meloxicam, 5-20 mg, at the dermatomal level(s) corresponding to their pain symptoms. Pain level (0=none to 10=severe), rescue analgesics and functional activity were recorded at baseline for 90 days after the last injection. The injection was repeated if the pain score remained >3 or paraesthesia persisted. Results: The mean pain score was reduced from a baseline of 8.9 (±1, SD) to 1.7 (±2.2, SD) at 90 days after the last meloxicam injection. After the meloxicam treatment(s), only 13% of the patients required oral analgesics as rescue medication. All patients increased their functional activity level. Conclusion: Cervical periradicular injection of meloxicam reduced CBP by 81% at 90d and improved functional recovery.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
