Effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis on controlling pain in patients with sciatica / Nermeen Hassan Abdelhaleem ; Supervised Eman Samir Mohamed Fayez , Maged Mohamed Abdelnaseer , Rania Mohamed Tawfik

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy fo Neuromuscular and Neurosurgery

Background: Sciatica due to lumbar disc lesion is an important medical and socioeconomic problem that affects the quality of life. The most important symptom is radiating leg pain. Aim of study: The current study was conducted to determine the effect of dexamethasone iontophoresis in controlling pain in patients with sciatica. Procedures: This study was conducted on thirty patients from both sexes with unilateral sciatica. The duration of illness ranged from six to eighteen months. Their ages ranged from 30 to 45 years. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups: the study group (A) and the control group (B). Group A (study group): this group received dexamethasone iontophoresis in addition to a selected physical therapy exercise program. Group B (control group): this group received a placebo dexamethasone iontophoresis in addition to the same selected physical therapy exercise program. Each patient of both groups was evaluated by visual analogue scale (V.A.S) to assess pain, goniometry to assess hip joint range of motion and Modified Oswestry low back disability questionnaire (O.D.I) to evaluate the patient{u2019}s functional disability before and after four weeks of treatment. Results: In the present study there was a statistically significant increase of the mean values of the hip ROM. Also, there was a statistically significant decrease of the mean values of VAS and ODI in the study group compared to the control group post treatment. Conclusion: Dexamethasone iontophoresis has a significant effect in improving pain, functional abilities and hip ROM in patients with sciatica

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