Efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency medial branch treatment in low back pain patients.

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.