You know what I’m talking about! Not that weekend warrior stuff where you wake up Monday morning and groan, “Oh, my aching back.” I’m talking about the chronic, insufferable misery that people with chronic back pain endure day after day. Often referred to as “radicular leg pain,” this condition is linked to confirmed nerve root impingement caused by lumbar disc herniation. People suffering from this pain have sought relief through a wide range of treatments, including nonpharmacologic, off-label pharmacologic, and device-based therapies, with varying degrees of success.
After trying conservative treatments—such as physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and neuropathic pain medications—many people ultimately turn to surgery. Radicular leg pain is a form of neuropathic pain caused by pressure on a lumbar spinal nerve root. While lumbar disc herniation can sometimes resolve on its own or respond well to conservative treatment, 15% to 40% of patients with new-onset lumbar radiculopathy will experience chronic pain.
Well, here’s some great news! FDA advisors largely support the regulatory approval of a new treatment for chronic back pain—condoliase injections—for the right patients. At a recent meeting of the Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee, members voted 8-4 in favor of approving condoliase injections. If fully approved, this would be the first biologic or drug authorized for treating lumbosacral radicular pain!
Before rushing to a specialist, keep in mind that there will be specific criteria for treatment eligibility. Researchers recommend that all conservative treatments must have been attempted and failed—not just taking ibuprofen. So, slow and steady—work with your primary care provider, explore different therapies, and go through the trial-and-error process. Who knows? Maybe one of the more conservative approaches will work!
Stay well and stay informed!
