Investigating the therapeutic efficacy of pulsed RF application in neuropathic pain

INVESTIGATING THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF PULSED RFAPPLICATION IN NEUROPATHIC PAINÖZGÜR ÖZSOYLARNeuropathic pain is a result of primary lesion or dysfunction of peripheral orcentral nervous system, which is hard to treat. Animal models have been helpful inunderstanding mechanisms of neuropathic pain and in development of new treatmentmethods. In this study; a neuropathic pain model was performed by spinal nerveligation; and the effects of PRF, which is a harmless and minimally invasive method,on tactil allodini was studied. Also development of new treatment strategies whichhas higher affect/side affect ratio in neuropathic pain was aimed.As the Ethics Committee approval was obtained, 200-250 g weighted adultmale Wister rats were divided into two main groups; in one of the groups ?shamoperation? was performed. And in the other group to make a peripheral nerve painmodel L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation was performed. On the 14th postoperative dayPRF was administered from plantar side of the left rear paw in 120 seconds in allanimals in the ?sham operation? group (n=9) and some animals in neuropathic group(n=9). And RF electrodes were placed in the paws of 8 animals in neuropathic groupalthough current wasn?t applied through these electrodes. Animals were evaluated fortactil allodini with both Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer and von Frey filaments onthe 14th postoperative day and 1, 3, 5, 7,10 and 14 days after PRF.As a result, in animals in which allodini was developed (neuropathic group) theantiallodinic effects of PRF was shown. We believe that after further clinical studiesPRF can be accepted as a new treatment alternative in neuropathic pain.