Effect of Pulse Radio Frequency on Functional Recovery in Patients with Brachial Plexus Injury.

Background: Pulsed radiofrequency is an interventional pain management technique that has been successful in treating radicular pain brought on by nerve damage, trigeminal neuralgia, and thoracic postherpetic neuralgia.Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of peripheral nerve stimulation combined with pulse radiofrequency in the management of brachial plexus injury.Patients and method: A clinical therapeutic trial was carried out in Baghdad, Iraq, between the first of April to the first of October 2024. A convenient sample of 50 patients aged 18 years or older with brachial plexus injury was included in the present study. The intervention was done in two sessions at three months intervals and included nerve stimulation, including sensory and motor stimulation, followed by pulse radiofrequency at the same time for the brachial plexus roots.Results: The proportion of patients experiencing sensory impairment significantly declined after the first session (P-value = 0.001) and showed a further significant reduction following the second session compared to the first. According to the electromyography assessment and clinical examination, the proportion of patients with severe motor injury significantly decreased after the first session (P-value<0.01). Then, it significantly decreased after the second session compared to the first session (P-value<0.01). In addition, 32 (64.0%) patients had functional recovery after the second session. An improvement was obtained in the pain after the first session and after the second session compared to the first session (P-value=0.001 for both).Conclusion: Pulsed radiofrequency combined with nerve stimulation offers an effective and safe approach to treating functional disabilities caused by peripheral nerve injuries, including injuries to the brachial plexus. These methods are also effective for managing pain associated with such injuries.Keywords: Pulsed radiofrequency, nerve stimulation, brachial plexus injury