title: A comparative study of continuous versus pulsed radiofrequency discectomy for management of low backache: Prospective randomized, double-blind study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency (RF) is a minimally invasive target-selective technique that has been used with success for many years in the treatment of different pathologies, such as low back pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and others.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare different mode of RF - continuous RF (CRF) versus pulsed RF (PRF) along with steroid in the management of low back pain of discogenic origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with chronic discogenic low back pain were randomized to receive CRF plus intradiscal triamcinolone 40 mg (Group 1) or to receive PRF plus intradiscal triamcinolone 40 mg (Group 2). Outcome measured includes immediate as well as long-term pain relief using visual analog scale, the Oswestry Disability Index and straight leg raising test.
  
  
  METHODS
  The continuous variables were compared by one-way analysis of variance test. Discrete variables were compared by Fisher's exact test/Chi-square test/Student'st-test, whichever appropriate. The value ofP< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in pain score after CRF without any added side effect. Pain relief after PRF was insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRF with steroid seems to be better for treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain than PRF with steroid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Bhagya Ranjan
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Jena
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paswan
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Yashpal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loha
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anil Prasad
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Virendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rastogi
keywords: Chronic low back pain; continuous radiofrequency; pulse radiofrequency; visual analog scale