PROSPECTIVE RANDOMISED STUDY COMPARING ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY WITH PERCUTANEOUS RADIO-FREQUENCYCOABLATION IN PATIENT WITH CONTAINED LUMBAR DISC PROLAPSE

Background: This study is to compare functional outcome in patients with radiculopathy with contained lumbar disc prolapse treated with endoscopic discectomy and percutaneous radio frequency co ablation. In this study, the radicular pain using VAS score and prospective functional results using SLR test were measured.

Materials and Methods: Prospective randomised control study carried out in Department of Orthopaedics from the period Nov 2016 to Nov 2018. Source of data for study was the patients reporting to Orthopaedic OPD who fulfill the inclusion criteria. Total 30 patients were included in the study. Data was subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS v 21.0, IBM). Inter group comparison (2 groups) was done using Mann Whitney U test. Intra group comparison was done using Wilcoxon Signed rank test (upto 2 observations) Friedmans (for >2 observations) followed by followed by pair wise comparison using Wilcoxon Signed rank test.

Results: The functional outcome in patients treated with radiofrequency coablation are better than patients treated with endoscopic discectomy.

Conclusion: Both Radio-frequency co-ablation and percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy appear to be safe and effective minimally invasive day care treatment option for patients with contained lumbar disc prolapse with radiculopathy.