Radio pulses offer relief for chronic back pain sufferers

♦ A new “minimally invasive” treatment lasting only 10 minutes can provide long-term relief from severe back pain, say researchers.

One in five of those affected by acute lowerback pain develop chronic pain, caused by a compressed herniated disc in which the rubbery cushion between vertebrae irritate nearby nerves.

Under the new approach, a needle is guided towards the location of a bulging disc and nerve root with the help of CT imaging. A probe is then inserted through the needle tip and delivers pulsed radiofrequency energy to the affected area. In a trial, of the 80 patients treated, three quarters were pain-free one year after a single 10-minute treatment session. Six required a second session but nearly all were able to avoid surgery.

Dr Alessandro Napoli, of Rome’s Sapienza University, said: “The results have been extraordinary. Patients have been relieved of pain and resumed their normal activities within a day.”