The Use of Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Pain in the Lumbar Spine Associated with the Presence of a Herniated Disc

Abstract

Back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical care, both in primary care and emergency care settings. There are a huge number of methods and approaches for the treatment of back pain, both conservative and surgical. One of the most popular treatments for back pain is radiofrequency denervation (RFD). RFD is a minimally invasive method of pain treatment, which is based on the effect of high temperature on target tissues that are triggers in the formation of pain.The purpose of the study: to evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of patients with pain in the lumbar region of the spine (LSP) associated with the presence of a herniated disc.Methods. A retrospective study of 109 patients with pain and hernia in the RAS was performed. Pain syndrome was assessed by VAS (visual analogue scale) from 0 to 10 points. Severe pain was assessed from 7 to 10 points, moderate pain from 4 to 6 points, no pain from 1 to 3 points.Results. Of the 109 patients studied, after 3 months, the results of treatment after RFD were studied in 67 patients (77.9%), after 6 months in 12 patients (13.9%). The highest score at admission for men, according to the VAS scale, was 9 points, for women 10 points. The average pain score in men, according to the VAS scale, at the time of admission was 7.29 (±1.1) points, in women 7.62 (±1.08) points. According to the VAS scale, the average pain score in men at the time of discharge was 2.92 (±1.7) points, in women 3.1 (±1.8) points. Three months after RFD, the pain syndrome was 4.0 (±1.97) points in men and 4.27 (±2.1) points in women. At the end of 6 months after the operation, the average value of the pain syndrome was 5.2 (±1.78) points in men and 5.57 (±1.27) points in women.Conclusions. Based on the data of our study, we can conclude that RFD causes a persistent, but not long-term reduction in pain in the lumbar spine. After 3 months, the pain resumes to 4.0-4.27 points, after 6 months to 5.2-5.57 points.Keywords: radiofrequency ablation, lumbalgia, herniated disc