Clinical efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of lumbar spine nerve posterior branch entrapment syndrome
YE Hao
SONG Guo-ping
WANG Shu-jiang
SHEN Xiao-gang
QIN Li-yong
LONG Sheng-li
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in the treatment of lumbar spine nerve posterior branch entrapment syndrome.Methods A total of 150 patients diagnosed with lumbar spine nerve root compression syndrome were selected from the Pain Department between October 2021 and December 2023.Based on the type of surgery,the patients were divided into two groups:75 patients in the radiofrequency ablation group(RFA group)and 75 patients in the nerve block group(block group).Postoperative follow-up was conducted at 1,3,and 6 months after treatment.Pain severity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS),lumbar function was as-sessed using the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),and recurrence rates and postoperative complications were monitored.At the final follow-up,clinical outcomes were assessed using the MacNab criteria to determine the excellent and effective rates.Results Compared with preoperative levels,both VAS scores and ODI indices significantly decreased at all follow-up time points in both groups(P＜0.05).The RFA group had significantly lower scores than the block group(P＜0.05).Regarding clinical efficacy,the excellent and effective rates were significantly higher in the RFA group than in the block group(P＜0.05).In terms of safety,the recurrence rates at 3 and 6 months,as well as the overall recurrence rate,were significantly lower in the RFA group compared to the block group(P＜0.05).Postoperative complications were minimal,with only 3 cases of mild local swelling or pain(1 in the RFA group and 2 in the block group;P＞0.05),all of which resolved within 2 days.Conclusion Radiofrequency ablation is an effective and safe treatment for lumbar spine nerve root compression syndrome,significantly relieving pain with minimal side effects.This procedure has a high clinical efficacy and is worthy of further clinical promotion.
Keywords：lumbar spinal nerve posterior branch entrapment syndromeposterior branch of spinal nerveradio frequency ablationnerve block
Publication Date：2025-02-15
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 228-232 )