title: Pulsed radiofrequency treatment of articular branches of femoral and obturator nerves for chronic hip pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic hip pain is a common symptom experienced by many people. Often, surgery is not an option for patients with multiple comorbidities, and conventional drugs either have many side effects or are ineffective. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a new method in the treatment of pain. We attempt to compare the efficacy of PRF relative to conservative management for chronic hip pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2011 and July 2013, 29 patients with chronic hip pain were divided into two groups (PRF and conservative treatment) according to consent or refusal to undergo PRF procedure. Fifteen patients received PRF of the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves, and 14 patients received conservative treatment. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oxford hip scores (OHS), and pain medications were used for outcome measurement before treatment and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment initiation, improvements in VAS were significantly greater with PRF. Improvements in OHS were significantly greater in the PRF group at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. Patients in the PRF group also used less pain medications. Eight subjects in the conservative treatment group switched to the PRF group after 12 weeks, and six of them had >50% improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When compared with conservative treatment, PRF of the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves offers greater pain relief for chronic hip pain and can augment physical functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cien-Leong
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chye
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Loong
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Po-Chou
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Liliang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009776:Obturator Nerve / Q000528:radiation effects*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods*
keywords: hip joint pain; obturator and femoral nerves; osteoarthritis; pulsed radiofrequency
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