title: Pulse-Dose Radiofrequency in Athletic Pubalgia: Preliminary Results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic pubalgia affects around 10% of athletes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of pulse-dose radiofrequency (PDRF) in athletes with chronic pubalgia and investigate the causes with imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective nonrandomized single-group study.
  
  
  METHODS
  PDRF was performed on 32 patients with a chronic pain that had been refractory to conservative therapies during the last 3 mo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The genital branches of the genitofemoral, ilioinguinal, and iliohypogastric nerves and the obturator nerve were the goals of treatment. A 10-cm, 20-gauge cannula was inserted with a percutaneous access on the upper and lower edges of the iliopubic branch. After the spindle was removed, a radiofrequency needle with a 10-mm "active tip" was inserted. The radiofrequency technique was performed with 1200 pulses at 45 V and 20-ms duration, followed by a 480-ms silent phase.
  
  
  METHODS
  The follow-up with a clinical examination was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 9 mo after the procedure. During the follow-up visits, the patients were asked to rate their pain on a 0-10 VAS scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the enrolled patients completed the study. Mean VAS score before the treatment was 8.4 ± 0.6. Twenty-four patients had a reduction of pain VAS scores more than 50% during all follow-up visits and started training and physiotherapy in the days after the radiofrequency procedure. Six patients, each treated 2 times, had a reduction more than 50% of VAS scores and could start training and physiotherapy only after the 2nd procedure. One patient had no pain relief with 2 treatments. Pain intensity decreased up to 9 mo in 31 patients (mean VAS scores 3.4 ± 0.5 at 6 mo and 3.8 ± 0.9 at 9 mo). No complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDRF is an effective and safe technique in management of chronic pubalgia in athletes.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiori
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raguso
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ojango
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuzzolino
authors.forename: Eros
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calabria
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonetti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: groin pain; pain management; training