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The Efficacy of Oral Steroids in the Treatment of Acute Sciatica
NCT00317447 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Sciatica (lumbosacral radiculopathy) is a common diagnosis in primary care, occurring in approximately one percent of all patients with acute low back pain. (1, 2) Traditional treatment generally involves pain control (acetominophen, NSAID's, or narcotics), activity as tolerated, and time. (1, 3-8 ) The general consensus is that fifty percent of patients with sciatica recover within six weeks, and that ninety percent are better in twelve weeks.(4, 8) Those patients with intractable pain or progressive neurologic symptoms usually receive epidural steroid injections and, if necessary, decompressive laminectomy or discectomy. (2, 8, 9) Low back pain and sciatica result in tremendous losses to our society in terms of decreased productivity and cost of treatment. (1, 12) Oral steroids are inexpensive and relatively safe medications that, if effective in reducing the pain and disability associated with sciatica, could improve the quality of patients' lives, and result in significant cost savings to society at large. We hypothesize that the use of oral steroids to treat acute sciatica will speed patients' recovery as measured by: changes in physical findings, rates of return to work and activities of daily living, pain and disability assessment scores, and decreases in the use of narcotic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's), and in the need for epidural injection or surgical intervention.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DRUG Oral Prednisone
Study Locations (1)
California
- Kaiser-Permanente — Santa Rosa
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 160 participants |
| Start Date | 2002-02 |
| Est. Completion | 2004-04 |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00317447
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00317447 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as Phase 3, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 160 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Kaiser Permanente, which has 132 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Sciatica appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Oral Prednisone is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00317447 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include California. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00317447 about?
NCT00317447 is a clinical study titled "The Efficacy of Oral Steroids in the Treatment of Acute Sciatica". Sciatica (lumbosacral radiculopathy) is a common diagnosis in primary care, occurring in approximately one percent of all patients with acute low back pain. (1, 2) Traditional treatment generally involves pain control (acetominophen, NSAID's, or narcotics), activity as tolerated, and time. (1, 3-8 )...
What is the current status of trial NCT00317447?
This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 3 study. The enrollment target is 160 participants. The study started on 2002-02. Estimated completion is 2004-04.
What conditions does trial NCT00317447 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Sciatica. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00317447?
The interventions under investigation include: Oral Prednisone (DRUG). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00317447?
This trial is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, which has 132 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00317447 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across California. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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