The effectiveness of gabapentin in patients with chronic radiculopathy

This study was carried out to determine the efficacy of gabapentin in patients with radiculopathy. Fifty patients (32 women, 18 men) with lumbosciatalgia secondary to L-5 or S-1 radiculopathy were evaluated. MRI showed L4-5 and/or L-5-S-1 bulging and/or protrusion without significant spinal stenosis. Baseline assessments for each patient included a standard neurological examination and radiological investigation. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1 was treated with oral gabapentin from a total of 900 mg per day up a total of 3600 mg per day divided in 3 doses; group 2 received placebo for the 8-week trial period. In group 1 we observed statistically significant improvement in pain at rest (p < 0.001), motor function (p < 0.01), limitation of spinal flexion (p < 0.001), straight leg raising test (p < 0.001) and sensory function (p < 0.001). Stretch reflexes instead did not significantly change. In group 2 we observed significant improvement in all clinical parameters, muscle strength and stretch reflexes excluded. The results of group I were significantly better than those of group 2.