Efficacy of transforaminal laser annuloplasty versus intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty for discogenic low back pain
10.3344/kjp.2019.32.2.113
- Author:
Chan Hong PARK
1
;
Kyoung Kyu LEE
;
Sang Ho LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Daegu Wooridul Spine Hospital, Daegu, Korea. magary1@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Annulus fibrosus;
Case-control studies;
Clinical trials;
Disability evaluation;
Intervertebral disc;
Lasers;
Low back pain;
Pain management;
Pain measurement;
Radiofrequency ablation
- MeSH:
Case-Control Studies;
Catheter Ablation;
Disability Evaluation;
Humans;
Intervertebral Disc;
Low Back Pain;
Pain Management;
Pain Measurement
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2019;32(2):113-119
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Discogenic pain is a common cause of disability and is assumed to be a major cause of non-specific low back pain. Various treatment methods have been used for the treatment of discogenic pain. This study was conducted to compare the therapeutic success of radiofrequency (an intradiscal procedure) and laser annuloplasty (both an intradiscal and extradiscal procedure). METHODS: This single-center study included 80 patients and followed them for 6 months. Transforaminal laser annuloplasty (TFLA, 37 patients) or intradiscal radiofrequency annuloplasty (IDRA, 43 patients) was performed. The main outcomes included pain scores, determined by the numeric rating scale (NRS), and Oswestry disability index (ODI), at pre-treatment and at post-treatment months 1 and 6. RESULTS: The patients were grouped according to procedure. In all procedures, NRS and ODI scores were significantly decreased over time. Mean post-treatment pain scores at months 1 and 6 were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in both groups, and between-group differences were not significant. The ODI score was also significantly decreased compared with baseline. Among patients undergoing TFLA, 70.3% (n = 26) reported pain relief (NRS scores < 50% of baseline) at post-treatment 6 months, vs. 58.1% (n = 25) of those undergoing IDRA. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in ODI reduction of > 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that annuloplasty is a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients with lower back and radicular pain of discogenic origin, and TFLA might be superior to IDRA in patients with discogenic low back pain.
