RF Safe

Pulsed radiofrequency for radicular pain due to a herniated intervertebral disc--an initial report.

Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2005 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3554

In this retrospective series of 13 consecutive patients treated with pulsed radiofrequency to the dorsal root ganglion/segmental nerve, mean NRS pain scores decreased from 7.83 pre-procedure to 2.25 at 2 weeks and to 0.27 at final follow-up (mean 15.8 months)…

Study snapshot

PublicationPain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2005
Study typecohort
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has been used for the treatment of radicular pain, due to a herniated intervertebral disc, but so far the data are anecdotal. This is a retrospective study on 13 consecutive patients with this type of pain, at levels L3 to S1. All patients had a diagnosis confirmed by imaging, all had neurological abnormalities, and all were scheduled for surgical intervention. All 12 patients who had a profession had stopped working. Treatment consisted of application of PRF to the dorsal root ganglion of the affected segmental nerve, or in the case of S1 to the segmental nerve at the level of the S1 foramen. One patient underwent disc surgery, and one other patient underwent a spinal fusion 1 year following PRF treatment. He had no leg pain at the time of operation. The remaining patients did not require surgical intervention. The numeric rating scale (NRS) score fell from 7.83 to 2.25 over the first 2 weeks, followed by a gradual further fall to 0.27 at the final follow-up, 15.8 (11 to 23) months after the procedure. Compared with the initial NRS score the data were significant (P < 0.01) from 4 weeks after the procedure. Neurological abnormalities resolved except in one patient, who had decreased sensibility in a small area in the L3 dermatome at the last follow-up. All professionally active patients went back to work after 0.49 months (0.1 to 1). It is concluded that PRF may potentially be a viable alternative for epidural steroid injections in the treatment of acute radicular pain, due to a herniated intervertebral disc, and that further studies, including a control group, should be carried out to establish the value of this method.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecohort
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients with acute radicular pain due to herniated intervertebral disc (levels L3 to S1), scheduled for surgical intervention
Sample size13
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In this retrospective series of 13 consecutive patients treated with pulsed radiofrequency to the dorsal root ganglion/segmental nerve, mean NRS pain scores decreased from 7.83 pre-procedure to 2.25 at 2 weeks and to 0.27 at final follow-up (mean 15.8 months). Compared with baseline, NRS reductions were statistically significant from 4 weeks after the procedure (P < 0.01). Most patients did not require subsequent surgical intervention; neurological abnormalities resolved except in one patient, and professionally active patients returned to work after a median of 0.49 months.

Outcomes measured

  • Pain intensity (numeric rating scale, NRS)
  • Need for surgical intervention
  • Neurological abnormalities
  • Return to work

Limitations

  • Retrospective design
  • Small sample size (n=13)
  • No control group (authors call for controlled studies)
  • Limited exposure characterization (no RF parameters reported in abstract)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cohort",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical procedure (pulsed radiofrequency)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Patients with acute radicular pain due to herniated intervertebral disc (levels L3 to S1), scheduled for surgical intervention",
  "sample_size": 13,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain intensity (numeric rating scale, NRS)",
    "Need for surgical intervention",
    "Neurological abnormalities",
    "Return to work"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In this retrospective series of 13 consecutive patients treated with pulsed radiofrequency to the dorsal root ganglion/segmental nerve, mean NRS pain scores decreased from 7.83 pre-procedure to 2.25 at 2 weeks and to 0.27 at final follow-up (mean 15.8 months). Compared with baseline, NRS reductions were statistically significant from 4 weeks after the procedure (P < 0.01). Most patients did not require subsequent surgical intervention; neurological abnormalities resolved except in one patient, and professionally active patients returned to work after a median of 0.49 months.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Retrospective design",
    "Small sample size (n=13)",
    "No control group (authors call for controlled studies)",
    "Limited exposure characterization (no RF parameters reported in abstract)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "radicular pain",
    "herniated intervertebral disc",
    "dorsal root ganglion",
    "retrospective study",
    "numeric rating scale",
    "return to work"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2005.05207.x
PubMed: 17177757

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