The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy

The Korean Society of Physical Therapy (대한물리치료학회)
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Percutaneous Continuous Radiofrequency Application to Dorsal Root Ganglia in Spinal Cord Lesion Patients: Pilot Case Series

  • Lee, Dong-Gyu (Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Yeungnam University School of Medicine) ;
  • Ahn, Sang-Ho (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University & Biomedical Engineering Institute, Yeungnam University)
  • Received : 2011.11.03
  • Accepted : 2011.12.05
  • Published : 2011.12.26
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Abstract

Purpose: This pilot case series study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of continuous radiofrequency (CRF) application on dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to reduce spasticity of spinal cord lesion (SCL) patients. Methods: We performed CRF procedures on DRG in 8 subjects (7 males; mean age 39 years, range 31-53 years) with intractable spasticity that impeded activities of daily living and caregiving, although they had maximal tolerable doses of anti-spastic medications and active rehabilitative treatment. All subjects underwent CRF (90 seconds at $90^{\circ}C$) at multiple lumbosacral and/or cervical DRG. Muscle tone of the extremities was measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) before and one month after procedures. Functional goals were established at baseline, and subjects' satisfaction levels were categorized one month after procedures. Results: A total of 54 CRF treatments were performed in 8 patients. In all patients, we found some improvement in muscle tone measured by the MAS. Six patients reported themselves satisfied with their current status at one month's post-treatment, and 2 patients were fairly satisfied with their gait pattern. In 3 patients, neuropathic pain was present after CRF on DRG. In 1 lumbar case, the pain subsided after several days, and the other 2 cervical cases suffered from tolerable neuropathic pain treated with anti-convulsant medication. Conclusion: CRF on DRG might be a promising alternative treatment to reduce spasticity in SCL patients. Further well-designed clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CRF application on DRG are needed.

Keywords

References

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