Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Seong Rok Han, Department of Neurosurgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, 170 Juhwa-ro, Ilsan-Seo-gu, Goyang 411-410, Korea. Tel.: +82 31 910 7730; Fax: +82 31 915 0885; E-mail:seongrokhan@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It was thought that the efficacy of pulsed
radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of the medial branch in patients with lower
back pain was not as long lasting as that of continuous radiofrequency (CRF)
thermo-coagulation techniques. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy and
the long-term effects of PRF treatment of the medial branch in selected low
back pain patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed patients with
lower back pain who underwent PRF treatment on the medial branch at our
institute. Pain relief was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score at
pretreatment, 2 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-treatment. Oswestry
disability index (ODI) score was evaluated pretreatment and at 2 years
post-treatment. We also recorded the satisfaction period after PRF
treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were available for the 2-year
follow-up analysis. None of the patients had any side effects or
procedure-related complications during the follow up period. The average VAS
score declined from 7.1 ± 2.4 pre-treatment to 2.9 ± 2.1 2 weeks
post-treatment, 2.6 ± 1.8 at 6 months, 2.8 ± 2.1 at 1 year and 3.0 ±
2.5 at 2 years. The average ODI score decreased from 33.6 ± 13.6
pre-treatment to 15.3 ± 5.7 at 2 years post-treatment. Mean satisfaction
period after PRF treatment was 16.6 ± 9.43 months. CONCLUSION: PRF treatment on the medial branch is an effective and
safe treatment option for patients with lower back pain.
Keywords: Pulsed radiofrequency, continuous radiofrequency, medial branch, low back pain
