• Anders Lundin, Anders Magnuson, Kjell Axelsson, Olof Nilsson, and Lars Samuelsson.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orebro University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden. anders.lundin@orebroll.se
• Spine. 2005 Nov 1; 30 (21): 2362-7; discussion 2368.

Study DesignA subgroup analysis of patient outcomes from a double-blind randomized controlled study comparing corticosteroid versus saline in microscopic lumbar disc surgery.ObjectivesTo study if the use of corticosteroids combined with surgery alleviates the damage to the nerve fibers in lumbar disc herniation.Summary Of Background DataThe use of quantitative sensory testing can detect damage to the myelinated A-delta fibers (cold sense) and the unmyelinated C-fibers (warmth sense). Corticosteroids combined with surgery in lumbar disc surgery enhance the outcome after surgery in terms of less pain and more rapid rehabilitation.MethodsAnalyzing quantitative sensory testing before surgery and after 2 weeks and 2 years.ResultsIn the corticosteroid group, we saw a statistically significant normalization for the warmth disturbance comparing with control group, which not was detected concerning the cold disturbance.ConclusionsThe use of corticosteroids combined with surgery seems to protect some of the damage to the C-fibers in lumbar disc herniation.

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