# Combined pulse radiofrequency and selective nerve root block for lumbar disc herniation-related neuropathic pain: a retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

Combining pulse radiofrequency and nerve block with dexamethasone is more effective than oral medication for treating back-related nerve pain.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that pulse radiofrequency plus selective nerve block improves pain and function more than oral drugs for lumbar disc herniation.

## Key findings

- Intervention group had significantly lower VAS and ODI scores and higher JOA scores post-treatment compared to the control group.
- Modified MacNab 'Excellent and Good' rate was significantly higher in the intervention group.
- No serious complications were observed in either treatment group.

## Abstract

Compare the clinical efficacy and safety of pulse radiofrequency combined with selective nerve root block using dexamethasone palmitate and oral medication in the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by lumbar disc herniation.

Retrospective analysis of 557 patients with lumbar disc herniation admitted to Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from January 2019 to December 2024, including 208 males and 349 females, with an average age of 55.37 ± 13.70 years old. 342 cases were treated with oral diclofenac sodium (Control group), and 215 cases were treated with selective nerve root block using dexamethasone palmitate (Intervention group). Compare the clinical efficacy indicators such as VAS score, ODI score, JOA score, and modified MacNab score between two groups of patients before and after treatment.

There was no statistically significant difference in general information such as gender, age, disease course, and lesion segment between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant statistical difference in preoperative VAS score, ODI score, and JOA score between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). The VAS scores of the Control group at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery were 3.07 ± 1.326, 3.67 ± 0.933, 4.18 ± 1.444, 4.23 ± 1.407, the postoperative ODI score was 22.12 ± 2.871, and the postoperative JOA score was 16.25 ± 2.856; The VAS scores of the Intervention group at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively were 2.15 ± 0.951, 1.80 ± 0.730, 2.07 ± 0.979, 2.25 ± 0.947, and the postoperative ODI score was 14.24 ± 1.990. The postoperative JOA score was 22.58 ± 2.132, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The Excellent and Good rate of postoperative modified MacNab Score in the Intervention group was significantly higher than that in the Control group (P < 0.05). No serious complications or drug side effects were observed in both groups of patients.

Compared with oral medication treatment, pulse radiofrequency combined with selective nerve root block using dexamethasone palmitate can more effectively alleviate neuropathic pain caused by lumbar disc herniation, improve quality of life, and promote lumbar functional recovery.