Abstract
Colchicine, a drug used for centuries in the treatment of gout, has been reported to be effective for low-back pain due to disc disorders. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study evaluating the therapeutic effect of intravenous colchicine was conducted in a group of patients with low-back pain with symptoms originating less than 6 months previously. Each patient completed a questionnaire and a pain drawing. Laboratory studies including uric acid and sedimentation rate were per- formed, as was a detailed physical examination and lumbar thermography. All treatment parameters (in- cluding physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and instructions) were constant except that each patient received either intravenous colchicine or intravenous saline. Results indicate a significant difference between the two groups, the intravenous colchicine group show- ing improvement in symptoms for a few hours or days over a 3-week course of treatment. However, the relief was often of short duration.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 716-717 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Spine |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Intravenous colchicine
- Low-back pain
- Prospective study
- Therapeutic response
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Clinical Neurology