Objectives: This study aims to Compare the Effectivenesses of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for the Nerve Roots Steroid Injections Versus Pulsed Radiofrequency Application For Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain
Patients and methods: The study, which was conducted between September 2013 and September 2016, included 40 patients with low back pain (13 males, 27 females; median age 45 years; [min. 22 - max. 88 years]). All injections were applied under C-arm fluoroscopy guidance, using a mix of methyprdnisone and macain. The valuation parameters are pain evaluation pre and post the procedure (2hrs after the procedure , 1st week ,after one month and after 3 months from the procedure) .the pain evaluation by visual analoge scale (0-10) and low back pain questionare also consumption of analgesic drugs is compared pre and post procedure. Reporting of possible complications
Results: As regard pain scores for both groups group there was significant decrease in VAS score in both groups from the preprocedure score (P-value<0.001). Patients in group 1 had less VAS scores in comparison for group 2 (P-value=0.005). also There was significant decrease in LBP score in both groups from the preprocedure score (P-value<0.001). Patients in group 1 had less LBP score in comparison for group 2 (P-value<0.001).
Conclusion: In this study, we aimed to present the effectiveness 0f Transforaminal Nerve Roots Steroid Injections Versus Pulsed Radiofrequency Application For Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain. We found that there was significant decrease in VAS score in both groups from the pre procedure score. Patients in TFESI group had less VAS and low back pain scores in comparison for PRF group , and application of PRF is more safe than steroid injection