Value of ultrasound-guided transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent treatment for protrusion of a lumbar intervertebral disc in Wangjing Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were divided into the study group and the control group. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores of the lumbar vertebra, PRI (pain rating index), and PPI (present pain intensity) were recorded at 30 minutes, 1 week, and 3 months after the operation. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the VAS, JOA, PRI, and PPI scores between the study group and control group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guidance can improve the efficacy and safety of transforaminal nerve block in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and shorten the operative duration.