Feasibility of Early and Repeated Low-dose Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block for Residual Pain in Acute Cervical Radiculopathy Treated with NSAIDS

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To improve residual pain management in acute cervical radiculopathy treated with NSAIDs, the feasibility of early and repeated low-dose interscalene brachial plexus block (IS-BPB) needs to be assessed. METHODS: This was a prospective study on patients receiving NSAIDs (loxoprofen) for cervical radiculopathy of or = 70 (severe pain; SE group) were compared to the controls receiving NSAIDs. RESULTS: A total of 316 IS-BPBs were performed in the intervention group. There was a significant difference in the decline in the VAS from week 0 to week 3 in the MM and SE groups (P < 0.05); however, from week 3 to week 4, the therapeutic effect exhibited no significant difference. Thirteen patients at week 2 (15.5%; MM 27.7%; SE 0%), 43 at week 3 (51.2%; MM 83.0%; SE 10.8%), and 47 at week 4 (56.0%; MM 85.1%; SE 18.9%) achieved a VAS score of < or = 20. Patient satisfaction was high, and the decrease in VAS scores in both groups was significant (P < 0.05) compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly, low-dose, USG-guided IS-BPB can be implemented for early pain relief in acute cervical radiculopathy, with high patient satisfaction.