Evaluation of the efficacy of disc radiofrequency ablation combined with radiofrequency of the dorsal medial branch neurotomy in the treatment of chronic low back pain in the elderly
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-9026.2025.07.003
- VernacularTitle:椎间盘射频消融联合脊神经背内侧支射频治疗老年慢性腰痛的疗效观察
- Author:
Chi LIU
1
;
Changtai SUN
1
;
Liang ZHANG
1
;
Maoyu ZHAO
1
;
Xiaobin WANG
1
;
Junchuan LIU
1
;
Jingwei LIU
1
;
Qiang WANG
1
Author Information
1. 北京医院骨科 国家老年医学中心 中国医学科学院老年医学研究院，北京 100730
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Low back pain;
Zygapophyseal joint;
Radiofrequency ablation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2025;44(7):858-862
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intervertebral disc radiofrequency(RF)ablation combined with dorsal medial branch(DMB)neurotomy in elderly patients suffering from chronic low back pain.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients aged 60 years and older with chronic low back pain admitted to Beijing Hospital from March 2023 to September 2024.The combined treatment group underwent intervertebral disc radiofrequency ablation combined with radiofrequency treatment of the dorsal medial branch of the spinal nerve.The single treatment group underwent intervertebral disc radiofrequency ablation alone.Pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were assessed before treatment and on the first day, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.The Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)and Barthel Index were evaluated before treatment and at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment.Clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 115 elderly patients with chronic low back pain were enrolled, aged 61 to 72 years(mean 66.5 ± 5.6 years), with 44 males.The combined therapy group consisted of 71 patients, and the monotherapy group consisted of 44 patients.All patients were followed up continuously for 6 months.At all-time points post-treatment, the VAS scores in the combined therapy group were significantly lower than those in the monotherapy group( t=-4.887, -10.095, -7.687, all P<0.05); at 3 and 6 months post-treatment, the combined therapy group showed significantly greater improvements in ODI( t=-3.645, -9.451, both P<0.001)Barthel Index improvement were significantly greater than those in the monotherapy group( t=6.578, 8.530, both P<0.001); the overall good-to-excellent rate in the combined therapy group was 88.7%, higher than the 72.7% in the monotherapy group( χ2=4.85, P<0.05). Conclusions:Combined disc RF ablation and DMB neurotomy provide superior pain relief, functional recovery, and improvement in daily activities compared to single disc ablation in elderly patients with CLBP.This minimally invasive approach represents a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for managing chronic low back pain in the geriatric population.
