Pulsed radiofrequency of lumbar dorsal root ganglion versus epidural neuroplasty for lumbar radicular pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Pooled result · Pain reductionResult — go to the resultMean difference −1.47 95% CI −2.73 to −0.46Authors' conclusion
PRF and epidural neuroplasty may offer comparable long-term pain and disability outcomes for patients with lumbar radicular pain, but the overall certainty of evidence was low to very low, limiting confident clinical recommendations.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with lumbar radicular pain from disc herniation, spinal stenosis, or failed back surgery syndrome
- Participants
- 1,229 adults · 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of lumbar dorsal root ganglion vs epidural neuroplasty
- Outcome
- Pain reduction
- Follow-up
- 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment
Methodological detailsfrequentist random-effects model, GRADE certainty assessment, Prediction intervals not calculated due to data limitations
- Frequentist random-effects model
- GRADE certainty assessment
- Prediction intervals not calculated due to data limitations
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Mean difference
−1.47
95% CI −2.73 to −0.46
Epidural neuroplasty vs PRF
mean difference −1.47 (95% CI −2.73 to −0.46)
Further pooled results
Disability reduction (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI))
- No significant differences at time points; certainty moderate to very low
Original publication
Pulsed radiofrequency of lumbar dorsal root ganglion versus epidural neuroplasty for lumbar radicular pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. Published 24 July 2025. doi:10.
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