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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 82(02): 161-165
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721015
Review Article

Intradiskal Injection of Methylene Blue for Discogenic Back Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Ming Deng   #
1   Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China
,
Hui Huang   #
2   Department of Orthopedics, Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, Haikou, Hainan, P. R. China
,
Yong-gang Ma
1   Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China
,
Yan Zhou
1   Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China
,
Qing Chen
1   Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China
,
Ping Xie
3   Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China
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Abstract

Introduction Intradiskal injection of methylene blue has some potential in alleviating discogenic back pain. This meta-analysis aims to explore the impact of intradiskal injection of methylene blue for discogenic back pain.

Methods Several databases such as PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases have been searched through November 2019, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of intradiskal injection of methylene blue for discogenic back pain are included.

Results Three RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for discogenic back pain, intradiskal injection of methylene blue remarkably decreased pain scores at 3 months (mean difference [MD] = –0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = –0.96 to –0.46; p < 0.00001) and 6 months (MD = –13.92; 95% CI = –22.31 to –5.54; p = 001) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at 4 to 6 weeks (MD = –10.39; 95% CI = –16.95 to –3.83; p = 0.002) and 3 months (MD = –3.66; 95% CI = –4.85 to –2.48; p < 0.00001), but demonstrated no obvious effect on ODI at 6 months (MD = –11.76; 95% CI = –33.33 to 9.80; p = 0.28).

Conclusions Intradiskal injection of methylene blue can substantially decrease pain scores and improve function for discogenic back pain.

Keywords

methylene blue - intradiskal injection - discogenic back pain - randomized controlled trials - meta-analysis

# These two authors contributed equally.




Publication History

Received: 02 July 2019

Accepted: 07 April 2020

Article published online:
21 January 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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