Clinical efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency, methylprednisolone and pulsed radiofrequncy+methylprednisolone neuromodulation for intractable meralgia paresthetica

Purpose:in this study we aimed to compare the efficacy of three different methods (p-rf, methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine and p-rf+methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine) for usg guiding lateral femoral cutaneous nerve noromodulation and whether one is soperior to the other. materials and methods: we retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 60 patients with medically intractable mp who underwent p-rf (grup prf), methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine (grup m) and p-rf+methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine (grup prf+m) neuromodulation of the lfcn. following a positive response to the diagnostic nerve block, patients underwent p-rf (neuromodulation at 42ºc for 10 minutes), methylprednisolone (40mg in 25mg isobaric bupivacaine) and p-rf+methylprednisolone (neuromodulation at 42ºc for 10 minutes+40mg in 25mg isobaric bupivacaine). patient pain was evaluated using a 10 cm visual analog scale (vas). in patients with mp who received p-rf, methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine and p-rf+methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine, we statistically evaluated vas scores and the presence of any complications for 1-3-6. months and 1. year after the procedure. results:the median initial patients vas scores were group prf 7.5(7-9), group m 7.5 (6-10) and group prf+m 7 (7-9). these scores were decreased to group prf 5 (4-8), group m 3 (2-8) and group prf 3 (2-7))-group prf 5 (3-8), group m 3 (2-9) and group prf+m 3 (2-7)) and group prf 7 (4-9), group m 8 (3-9) and group prf+m 4 (2-7)) at the 1-3. month and 1. year follow-up, respectively. conclusion: p-rf +methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine neuromodulation of the lfcn provides immediate and long-lasting pain relief without complications. therefore, p-rf+methylprednisolone+25 mg bupivacaine of the lfcn can be used as an alternative treatment in patients with mp who are refractory to conservative medical treatment.