Clinical Evaluation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Intradiscal Methylene Blue Injection for the Treatment of Discogenic Low Back Pain

What Was Tested

This observational study looks at Methylene blue (non-peptide stack partner).

To investigate the clinical outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging changes of intradiscal methylene blue injection for the treatment of discogenic low back pain.

Why It Was Studied

Internal disc disruption has been considered as the most common cause of low back pain.

Various therapies, including interbody fusion, disc replacement, injection therapies, and thermal annular procedures have been utilized for the treatment of discogenic low back pain.

Who Took Part

The abstract describes 33 patients taking part.

An interventional low back pain management practice in a university hospital.

A total of 33 patients were selected to be treated with intradiscal methylene blue injection.

How the Study Was Run

The clinical outcomes were evaluated by numeric rating scale and Oswestry Disability Index at pretreatment, one month, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

The magnetic resonance imaging changes of involved intervertebral discs were assessed by apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 values at pretreatment, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

What Was Measured

Recently, a new method of intradiscal methylene blue injection has been introduced to treat discogenic low back pain, but the clinical outcomes are controversial.

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Intervertebral Disc, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Intervertebral Disc Displacement, Low Back Pain, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Methylene Blue.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is an observational study of Methylene blue (non-peptide stack partner) in 33 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The abstract goes on to report its results in about 6 sentences; this page does not restate them, so read the paper for the findings and their limits.

The publication is from 2016 (Pain physician), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Methylene blue (non-peptide stack partner) compound page, all human trials.