comparison between transforaminal epidural stroid injection and pulse radiofrequency in pain control of radicular low back pain

Aim and Pulse radiofrequency (PRF) is a pain treatment modality, and is used for various painful states in clinical practice. To compare Transforaminal epidural injection of steroid with PRF in the pain in patients with low back radicular pain.
In this single blind randomized clinical trial study, on 42 patients devided to PRF group and TF group. Pain Score were measured by use of VAS, ODI, analgesic requirement,lazec test before the treatment,24 hours, 1 week, 1 mounth, 3 mounths after the treatment.
Findings: The successful rate was 100% in PRF group and 23.5% in TF group, that showed significant difference between the groups (p=0.0001). Pain score was significantly decreased in different times in the PRF group (p=0.0001). There was no significant difference in change of ODI and analgesic requirement between the two groups at different times during the follow up (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in propofol administered between the DEX and remifentanil groups in intraoperative time (P>0.05).
It seems that Pulsed RF treatment is a safe and simple procedure to control radicular pain in the lumbar regions.