Options for Treatment of Chronic Intractable Low Back Pain: A Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial between Pulsed Radiofrequency Stimulation and Topical Steroid Injection of the L2 Intervertebral Foramen Nerve Root

Abstract

Objective: A comparison of the effects of pulsed radiofrequency stimulation and topical steroid injection of the L2 intervertebral foramen nerve root for chronic intractable low back pain was made in a prospective, randomized, double blind controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-five screened out of 81 patients entered the study. One was excluded just before the intervention and 2 were lost to follow-up. In one group of patients (N=11, group Ⅰ) pulsed radiofrequency was used and in the other group (N=11, group Ⅱ) only a topical steroid was given. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire were used to measure the treatment effects. Results: Six months after treatment a significant reduction in ODI and RMDQ scores was demonstrated in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The quality of life scales showed a positive trend in both groups in the SF-36 domain physical functioning, bodily pain, role emotional and mental health, but significance was reached only in the domain bodily pain at 6 months in group I. Conclusions: This study suggests that for chronic intractable low back pain, treatment with PRF stimulation of the L2 intervertebral foramen nerve root is equally effective in comparison with treatment of intervertebral foramen nerve root steroid injection.