Effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain

Abstract

Background: Lumbosacral radicular pain is one of the most common clinical features which accounts for more than 10% of the hospital visits annually. Multiple treatment strategies have been in use to manage it. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in treating pain and physical disturbances in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain.

Methodology: Forty patients, suffering from lumbosacral neuropathic pain were treated by PRF at the corresponding level (ranging from L3 to S1). Outcome measures included the pain intensity score on a 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS) at pretreatment, after two months and six months post-treatment.

Results: A significant reduction in pain scores was observed in mean NRS at two and six month duration (p < 0.001). The NRS after treatment with PRF was significantly reduced compared to that before PRF treatment (3.28 vs. 8.38 and 4.25 vs. 8.38 respectively) after two and six months.

Conclusion: The PRF is effective in the treatment of chronic lumbosacral radicular pain of neuropathic features.

Key words:  Pulsed radiofrequency; Chronic lumbosacral pain; Radicular pain; Numeric pain score

Citation: Mohammed N, Jubara MAA. Effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(4):464–469. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i4.1566