ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the effect of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) combined with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and the impacts on serum interleukin-8 (IL-8), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10).Methods:From July 2014 to May 2017, 60 patients with LDH were randomly divided into two groups according to the random digital table method, with 30 patients in each group.The combination group was given RFTC combined with PRF therapy, while the PRF group was given single foraminal nerve PRF therapy.The visual analogue scale (VAS), the curative effect score of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were assessed in the two groups before treatment, 7 days after treatment and 3 months after treatment.The serum levels of IL-8, CXCL10 were determined simultaneously.Results:After treatment, the VAS score and ODI in the two groups were decreased(VAS score: t=12.14, 27.85, all P<0.05; ODI: PRF group t=4.932, 7.414, all P<0.05; combination group t=4.235, 9.706, all P<0.05), and the JOA scores increased(PRF group: t=5.329, 7.576, all P<0.05; combination group: t=5.980, 9.526, all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in VAS score, JOA score and ODI between the two groups at 3 months after treatment( t=7.329, 5.719, 2.255, all P<0.05), which of the combination group after treatmentwere superior to the PRF group (all P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-8 in the two groups after treatment were decreased (PRF group: t=3.621, 4.631, all P<0.05; combination group: t=3.393, 5.370, all P<0.05), and the CXCL10 levels in the two groups after treatment were increased(PRF group: t=2.251, 3.559, all P<0.05; combination group: t=3.393, 5.370, all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in IL-8, CXCL10 levels between the two groups at 3 months after treatment, and the regulation of IL-8 and CXCL10 levels in the combination group was significantly better than those in the PRF group ( t=20258, 2.237, all P<0.05). Conclusion:RFTC combined with PRF is effective in the treatment of LDH, which can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms, reduce the inflammatory response and has a lasting efficacy.