A new report in Uncover California examines a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center comparing the oral steroid prednisone to a placebo for patients with sciatica.
The study included 269 people with sciatica who either took an oral steroid or placebo for 15 days. Here are five things to know from the report:
1. There was a modest improvement in function in the patients who took prednisone over the placebo one year after treatment.
2. There was no difference in pain between the two groups.
3. People were able to pursue their daily activities in a better way than before after taking the prednisone.
4. Study author Harley Goldberg, MD, said that while there wasn't any difference in pain between the two groups, steroids may still be the best treatment if the physician and patient decide to take that option.
5. Steroid pills are used as an option to treat pain; other options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and epidural steroid injections. Surgery can be a last resort option.