Pulsed and conventional radiofrequency thermocoagulation applications on low back pain
Abstract
Purpose: Nowadays, low back pain (LBP) is an important health problem. Radiofrequency (RF) treatments can generate different temperature levels by transferring energy to the targeted tissue, and which is an effective interventional treatment method for LBP patients. In this study, we compared the effects of pulsed and conventional RF treatments on patients with LBP.
Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with LBP histories for longer than three months received pulsed (42 0C, 240 s) (n=15) and conventional (65 0C, 120 s) (n=15) RF treatments. The baseline and one and three months after the procedure, the patients’ pain and disability values were obtained using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. The results of the patients’ neurological examinations were also recorded.
Results: The VAS and modified ODI values were reduced in both groups one and three months after the RF treatments when compared to the baseline values . However, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the neurological examination results involving motor, sensorial, and reflex losses.
Conclusion: The pulsed and conventional RF treatments exhibited similar effects in the LBP patients. Therefore, higher temperatures do not provide an advantage. Pulsed RF treatment applied to the dorsal root ganglion is a safe and effective way to avoid possible side effects.
Keywords
: Low back pain,pulsed radiofrequency treatments,dorsal root ganglion
Kaynakça
- 1. Bjorland S, Roe C, Moen A, Schistad E, Mahmood A, Gjerstad J. Genetic predictors of recovery in low back and lumbar radicular pain. Pain. 2017; 158(8):1456-1460.
- 2. Chao SC, Lee HT, Kao TH, Yang MY, Tsuei YS, Shen CC, et al. Percutaneous pulsed radiofrequency in the treatment of cervical and lumbar radicular pain. Surg Neurol. 2008; 70(1):59-65.
- 3. Simopoulos TT, Kraemer J, Nagda JV, Aner M, Bajwa ZH. Response to pulsed and continuous radiofrequency lesioning of the dorsal root ganglion and segmental nerves in patients with chronic lumbar radicular pain. Pain Physician. 2008; 11(2):137-44.
- 4. Kim JH, Yu HY, Park SY, Lee SC, Kim YC. Pulsed and conventional radiofrequency treatment: which is effective for dental procedure-related symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia? Pain Med. 2013; 14(3):430-5.
- 5. Byrd D, Mackey S. Pulsed radiofrequency for chronic pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2008; 12(1):37-41.6. van Wijk RM, Geurts JW, Wynne HJ. Long-lasting analgesic effect of radiofrequency treatment of the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion. J Neurosurg. 2001; 94(2):227-31.7. Chang MC, Cho YW, Ahn SH. Comparison between bipolar pulsed radiofrequency and monopolar pulsed radiofrequency in chronic lumbosacral radicular pain: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017; 96(9):e6236.
- 8. Geurts JW, van Wijk RM, Wynne HJ, Hammink E, Buskens E, Lousberg R, et al. Radiofrequency lesioning of dorsal root ganglia for chronic lumbosacral radicular pain: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial. Lancet. 2003; 361(9351):21-6.
- 9. Koh W, Choi SS, Karm MH, Suh JH, Leem JG, Lee JD, et al. Treatment of chronic lumbosacral radicular pain using adjuvant pulsed radiofrequency: a randomized controlled study. Pain Med. 2015; 16(3):432-41.
- 10. Yakut E, Duger T, Oksuz C, Yorukan S, Ureten K, Turan D, et al. Validation of the Turkish version of the Oswestry Disability Index for patients with low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2004; 29(5):581-5.
- 11. Haspeslagh SR, van Suijlekom HA, Lame IE, Kessels AG, van Kleef M, Weber WE. Randomised controlled trial of cervical radiofrequency lesions as a treatment for cervicogenic headache [ISRCTN07444684]. BMC Anesthesiol. 2006; 6:1.
- 12. van Kleef M, Spaans F, Dingemans W, Barendse GA, Floor E, Sluijter ME. Effects and side effects of a percutaneous thermal lesion of the dorsal root ganglion in patients with cervical pain syndrome. Pain. 1993; 52(1):49-53.
