Pulsed radiofrequency in the management of lumbar radicular pain: initial experience

Abstract

BackgroundLumbar radicular pain (LRP) is one of the most encountered complaints in neurosurgical practice that pose a challenge in its management as adequate pain control, which is not always achieved.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulsed radiofrequency as a minimally invasive tool in the management of lumbar radicular pain of lumbar discogenic origin.MethodsThis is a prospective study that included 20 patients with lumbar radicular pain with radiological evidence of lumbar disc prolapse, who have been subjected to pulsed radiofrequency.ResultsThe mean preoperative visual analogue score was 71 ± 14.38 dropped to a mean of 43.5 ± 21.47 at six-month follow-up. Seventy percentage of the study population had a satisfactory outcome, which did not correlate with the age, sex, or body mass index of the patients.ConclusionsPulsed radiofrequency is a safe and useful tool that may be used in the management of lumbar radicular pain.