Transforaminal epidural steroid injection combined with radio frequency for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation: a 2-year follow-up

摘要

To assess the therapeutic efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) combined with radio frequency (RF) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). A total of 230 patients participated in the study: TFESI (Group T, n?=?110), TFESI combined with RF (Group TR, n?=?120). Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Global perceived effect (GPE) scale were measured pre-operation, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24?months after the operation. Hospitalization time, treatment time, complications, and recurrence were compared between the two groups. The VAS and ODI at each observation point of the post-operation were significantly decreased compared with the pre-operation in both groups (P 0.05). However, The VAS and ODI scores in Group TR were significantly lower than that in Group T at 6, 12 and 24?months of the post-operation (P 0.05). These findings suggest that TFESI combined with RF could effectively improve the pain and function, and had a long-term satisfactory effect for the treatment of LDH.