Treatment of Peripheral Nerves With Pulsed Radiofrequency: A Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuromodulation
• Pain Medicine
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation

Background:

• Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is an emerging neuromodulative technique for chronic pain management.
• While initially used for spinal ganglia, its application to peripheral nerves is gaining attention.
• Clinical evidence supporting PRF's efficacy on peripheral nerves is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) applied to peripheral nerves in patients with therapy-refractory chronic pain.
• To assess pain reduction, patient-reported outcomes, and medication changes following PRF treatment.
• To determine the duration of pain relief and the need for repeat interventions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 17 PRF treatments on peripheral nerves in chronic pain patients.
• Data collected included pain scores, Global Impression of Change (GIC), medication reduction, and time to next infiltration.
• Treatments were administered over an 11-month period at a tertiary hospital pain center.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant pain score reduction observed at two weeks, one month, and three months post-PRF.
• 47% and 29% of patients reported at least a 50% pain decrease at one and three months, respectively.
• 71% reported improved GIC, 67% reduced medication, and 82% delayed subsequent infiltrations by at least three months. Poorer outcomes were noted in patients with psychiatric diagnoses.

Conclusions:

• Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) demonstrates promising clinical results for managing therapy-refractory chronic pain involving peripheral nerves.
• PRF may serve as a valuable adjunct in pain medicine, particularly when nerve block effects are transient.
• Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the role and long-term efficacy of PRF in peripheral nerve pain management.