Trial of Pulsed Radiofrequency for Sciatica and Disc Herniation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ROMA LA SAPIENZA · Dec 19, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The investigators conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial among patients with at least 6 weeks of sciatic pain to determine whether a strategy of PRF in addition to TFESI leads to better outcomes during the first year than does a strategy of TFESI only means for sciatica treatment.

Eligible patients were 18 to 75 years of age, had a radiologically confirmed disk herniation, and had received a diagnosis from an attending neurologist of an incapacitating lumbosacral radicular syndrome that had lasted for at least 12 weeks. Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findin...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Eligible patients had radiologically confirmed disk herniation, and had received a diagnosis from an attending neurologist of an incapacitating lumbosacral radicular syndrome that had lasted for at least 12 weeks. Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with symptoms was required.
• • The occurrence of another episode of symptoms similar to those of the current episode during the previous 12 months were not considered contraindications
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients presenting with previous spine surgery, spondylolisthesis, cauda equina syndrome, muscle paralysis, or insufficient strength to move against gravity were excluded.
• • Vertebral canal stenosis
• • Other exclusion criteria were cardiac pace-maker implant, pregnancy, or severe coexisting disease.