ObjectiveTo compare the effects between X-ray precise positioning epidural steroid injection combined with pulsed radiofrequency therapy(TESI+DRG-PRF) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection(TESI) alone in the treatment of patients with chronic root neuralgia, and explore the effects of combined treatment on the alleviating chronic root neuralgia and its influence on inflammatory factors.

MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic root neuralgia were selected as the research subjects, which included 57 patients treated with transforaminal epidural steroid injection as the control group(TESI) and 63 patients with combined treatment as the observation group(TESI+DRG-PRF).The pain numerical assessment scale(NRS) score, Oswestry disability index(ODI) and MacNab standard excellent and good rate were compared between two groups before operation and after 10 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months of operation.The serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were compared between two groups before treatment and after 1 month of operation.

ResultsThe NRS score and ODI in two groups at each time point after operation were lower than those before operation(P < 0.05).The NRS score and ODI in observation group at each time point were lower than those in control group(P < 0.05).There was no statistical significance in the excellent and good MacNab rate between two groups at each time point after operation(P>0.05).After 1 month of operation, the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in observation group were lower than those in control group(P < 0.01).After 1 month of operation, the ODI and NRS score were positively correlated with levels of IL-6 and TNF-α(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe TESI+DRG-PRF combination therapy can better relieve the pain symptoms of patients with chronic root neuralgia.The improvement of dysfunction may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factors.