Intradiscal Gelified Ethanol and Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Gelified Ethanol Injection for Discogenic Low Back Pain

Intradiscal Combination of Gelified Ethanol and Pulsed Radiofrequency Versus Gelified Ethanol Injection for the Treatment of Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Many different minimally invasive techniques have been used for the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain refractory to conservative treatments, with various results. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of the combination of intradiscal pulsed radiofrequency and gelified ethanol versus gelified ethanol alone, on pain and quality of life of patients sufferring from chronic discogenic low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Discogenic low back pain > 6 months,
• pain refractory to conservative treatment,
• no other aetiology for pain,
• pain reported during provocative discography according to standard criteria,
• MRI imaging indicating disk degenarative disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Red flags for low back pain,
• lumbosacral radiculopathy,
• extruded or sequestered lumbar disc,
• severe spinal stenosis,
• facet joint syndrome,
• sacroiliac joint pain,
• neurological disorders,
• psychiatric disorders,
• rheumatoid arhtritis, ancylosing spondylitis, other autoimmune arthritis,
• coagulation disorders,
• pregnancy