title: Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Interfascial Pulsed Radiofrequency and Ultrasound-Guided Interfascial Injection on Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the Gastrocnemius.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the comparative treatment effects of ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment (UG-PRF) in the gastrocnemius interfascial space and ultrasound-guided interfascial injection (UG-INJ) on myofascial pain syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty consecutive patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the gastrocnemius were enrolled and were allocated to one of the two groups. Twenty patients were treated by UG-PRF delivered to the gastrocnemius interfascial space (UG-PRF group) and the other 20 patients were treated by interfascial injection (UG-INJ group). The primary outcome measure was the numeric rating score (NRS) for pain on pressing the tender point in the gastrocnemius, and the secondary outcome measure was health-related quality of life as determined by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). NRSs were obtained at the first visit, immediately after treatment, and at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment, and physical component summary scores (PCS) and mental component summary scores (MCS) of the SF-36 questionnaire were measured at the first visit and at 4 weeks post-treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediately after treatments, mean NRS in the UG-PRF group was significantly higher than that in the UG-INJ group (p<0.0001). However, at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment, the mean NRS was significantly lower in the UG-PRF group (both p<0.0001). Similarly, at 4 weeks post-treatment, mean PCS and MCS were significantly higher in the UG-PRF group (p<0.0001 and p=0.002, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, the authors conclude that ultrasound-guided gastrocnemius interfascial PRF provides an attractive treatment for myofascial pain syndrome of the gastrocnemius.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: So Min
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0932-424X
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine & Spine Center, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.; Medical Devices Clinical Trial Center, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Woo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6585-327X
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine & Spine Center, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.; Medical Devices Clinical Trial Center, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Ho
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2921-7820
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Gyu
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4787-4448
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Kyung
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1950-9926
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Yup
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2136-6197
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Gastrocnemius muscle; Injections; Myofascial pain syndromes; Pulsed radiofrequency treatment; Trigger point pain