Evaluation of the Relationship Between the Grade of Lumbar Foraminal Spinal Stenosis and Outcomes of Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment

TL;DR

This study examines how the severity of lumbar spinal stenosis affects the outcomes of a specific pain treatment.

Contribution

The study evaluates DRG pulsed radiofrequency treatment outcomes across different grades of lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis.

Findings

Pain scores in Grade 3 stenosis were higher at the third month compared to Grades 1 and 2.

DRG-PRF treatment showed effectiveness in all stenosis grades, with no significant differences in pain relief at the first and third months.

Functional disability and pain decreased significantly in all groups during follow-up.

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the association between the radiological grade of lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis (LFSS) and the outcomes of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment.

This is an observational, single‐center study. Patients with LFSS who had undergone lumbar DRG‐PRF treatment were evaluated according to the radiological grade of stenosis: Grades 1, 2, and 3. Severity of pain, presence of neuropathic pain, and functional status were assessed using a numerical rating scale (NRS), the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 (DN4) Questionnaire, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline, first, and third months. The groups by grade consisted of 18, 22, and 23 patients, respectively, for Grades 1, 2, and 3.

NRS scores are similar at baseline and first month, but higher in Group 3 than in Groups 1 and 2 at the third month (p = 0.010, p = 0.04). Similarly, DN4 scores are similar at baseline and first month, but higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p = 0.017). ODI scores and weekly analgesic intake at baseline, first, and third months are similar. There are significant decreases in the NRS, DN4, ODI, and weekly analgesic consumption in all groups during follow‐up (p < 0.05). The ratios of meaningful pain relief were 72.2%, 68.2%, and 69.6% at the first month, and 50.0%, 63.6%, and 43.5% at the third month for Grades 1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively, without significant differences at the first and third months (p > 0.05).

The DRG‐PRF treatment is effective for pain and functional disability in LFSS in all grades, although pain scores remained higher in Grade 3 stenosis at the third month. Studies with larger sample sizes for each stenosis grade may provide more accurate and detailed information.

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