Background: Lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of low-back and radicular leg pain, often resulting from degeneration or protrusion of the intervertebral disc that compresses adjacent nerve roots. This study aims to explore the impact of combining diclofenac sodium with eperisone on the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the clinical data from 200 lumbar disc herniation patients treated at Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital, between January 2023 and January 2024. Based on therapeutic regimen, patients were categorized into the combination group (n = 95) and the diclofenac sodium monotherapy group (n = 105). Both groups underwent treatment for 2 weeks and followed up for 6 months. Basic characteristics, pain intensity, degree of pain relief, lumbar function, and adverse drug events were analyzed and compared between groups.

Results: At rest or during exercise, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was progressively reduced in both groups in contrast to the previous time point (p < 0.05). However, the decrease was more pronounced in the combination group at 2 weeks post-treatment (p < 0.05). Both at rest and during exercise, the rate of pain relief during the treatment stage and overall stage was greater in the combination group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score progressively increased in both groups (p < 0.05), with the combination group demonstrating a significantly greater JOA score 2 weeks after treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, adverse drug events did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion: A 2-week combined treatment of diclofenac sodium and eperisone significantly attenuates pain and improves lumbar function in lumbar disc herniation patients compared with a diclofenac sodium monotherapy regimen, showing a superior safety profile.