The Effectiveness of Oral Corticosteroids for Management of Lumbar Radiating Pain: Randomized, Controlled Trial Study

54 patients with lumbar radicular pain were randomized to receive either oral triamcinolone or oral pregabalin or gabapentin, for 2 weeks. The purpose of this study was to compare effects of each on pain scores, patient satisfaction, and disability measures over a 12-week follow-up. Results demonstrated significantly lower pain scores at 2, 6, and 12 weeks in the oral triamcinolone group compared to the gabapentinoid group. Results also favoured oral triamcinolone for effect on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, but demonstrated no significant between-group differences in the Oswestry Disability Index. No significant difference between groups was demonstrated in patient satisfaction.