Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation of the Sciatic Nerve in the Management of Posttraumatic Sciatic Neuritis

Abstract

Abstract Accidental intraneural injection causing nerve injury is an iatrogenic catastrophe. Intramuscular injection (IM) is a common injury affecting the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve injury manifests as radicular pain with paraesthesia accompanied by an immediate onset of motor and sensory deficits. Treatment options include medical management with corticosteroids, neuropathic medications, and surgical exploration with or without anastomosis. We report a case of a young boy who presented with shooting pain with Numerical Rating Scale of 8/10 from the left buttock up to the left foot following accidental IM injection. The pain was associated with sensory loss over the left foot. Since he was unresponsive to medical management with corticosteroids and neuropathic medications, he was treated with pulsed radiofrequency neuromodulation of the left sciatic nerve. He responded well for the treatment and was discharged with good pain relief.