A new Italian study has found that radiofrequency therapy can effectively and sustainably relieve pain caused by herniated discs. In Germany alone, around 180,000 people suffer from herniated discs each year, with 70,000 to 80,000 of them undergoing surgery. However, the study suggests that radiofrequency therapy could be a viable alternative to surgery for many patients. The therapy involves a short, minimally invasive procedure that supports standard pain treatments, and a year after treatment, almost all patients reported significant improvement.
The study, presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting in Chicago, involved 250 patients with herniated discs who were treated with radiofrequency therapy. The therapy works by generating radiofrequency impulses that modulate nerves, reducing inflammation and associated symptoms. In contrast to standard treatments, such as painkillers or corticoid injections, radiofrequency therapy is minimally invasive and takes less than ten minutes to complete. The procedure involves placing a special probe near the nerve endings that cause pain, with the entire process taking place during a computed tomography scan to ensure accuracy.
The study found that a year after treatment, 95% of patients who received radiofrequency therapy reported feeling fully recovered and pain-free, compared to just 61% of patients who received only corticoid injections. The therapy’s safety and long-lasting results make it a promising alternative to surgery for many patients. “Of the possible therapies for treating herniated discs, radiofrequency therapy is one of the least invasive,” said Alessandro Napoli of Sapienza University in Rome. “For most patients, one session is sufficient.”
