Effect of radiofrequency thermocoagulation on the posteromedian ramus of spinal nerve in the treatment of lumbar vertebra-related pain

Objective To observe the effect of radiofrequency thermocoagulation on the posteromedian ramus of spinal nerve in the treatment of patients with lumbar vertebra-related pain. Methods Fifty patients with lumbar vertebra-related pain were randomly divided into group RF and group PB, 25 cases in each group. Patients in group RF received radiofrequency thermocoagulation, and group PB received paravertebral nerve block. VAS was recorded in all patients before and 1 week after the treatment. The curative effect was assessed with MacNab method at 3 months after the treatment. Results Compared with pretreatment, VAS was significantly decreased at one week after the treatment (P<0.05) in all patients, but there was no significant difference between group RF and group PB. The excellent and good rate in group RF (72%, 18/25 cases) was better than that in group PB (44%, 11/25 cases) at 3 months after the treatment. Conclusion The radiofrequency thermocoagulation on the posteromedian ramus of spinal nerve is an effective method in the treatment of lumbar vertebra-related pain. Key words: Posteromedian ramus of spinal nerve; Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation; Paravertebral nerve block; Zygapophyseal Joint; Low back pain