BASBone and Arthrosurgery Science3083-48562981-8222Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/BAS.v4i4.15272ArticleComparison of Clinical Efficacy Between Exercise Therapy and Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trialhttps://artdesignp.com/journal/BAS/4/4/10.26689/BAS.v4i4.15272ChengChangzhi,ShengXi,ZengYanping,JiangYu,ZouKai,ChenGuojian,HeJunyi,ShiDongdong,WeiGejin,YeQing2026442026-08-31Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of exercise therapy and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain in patients. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with chronic discogenic back pain who were hospitalized at the 923rd Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force and the Armed Police Guangxi Autonomous Region General Hospital from March 2023 to February 2025 were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups, with 34 patients in each group. The ablation group received percutaneous radiofrequency ablation treatment, while the exercise therapy group received core muscle strength training treatment. Comparative analysis of intragroup and intergroup differences was conducted on evaluation indicators such as visual analogue scale, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and lumbar Oswestry disability index of patients before treatment, 1 week after treatment, 1 month after treatment, 6 months after treatment, and at the last follow-up. Results: All patients were followed up for an average of 20.74 ± 6.70 (11–35) months. The lumbar pain VAS, JOA, and ODI scores in the ablation group showed significant differences compared to pre-treatment levels at 1 week post-treatment (P < 0.05). At 1 month, 6 months, and the final follow-up, both groups exhibited significant differences in lumbar pain VAS, JOA, and ODI scores compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). The VAS, JOA, and ODI scores at 1 week post-treatment differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). At the final follow-up, the ODI scores also showed significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both exercise therapy and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation can achieve good short-term efficacy in treating patients with discogenic low back pain. The percutaneous radiofrequency ablation group has a faster onset of action, while the exercise therapy group has a more significant long-term efficacy.Low back pain, Discogenic low back pain, Radiofrequency ablation, Exercise therapy

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