Curative effect of nerve block combined with shock wave in the treatment of occipital neuralgia

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of nerve block combined with shock wave in the treatment of occipital neuralgia. Methods A total of 52 patients with occipital neuralgia were randomly divided into control group(n=26)and observation group(n=26). The control group received occipital nerve block twice, while the observation group received occipital nerve block twice as well as shock wave therapy three times. The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and clinical effect before treatment and at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment in both groups were evaluated. Results Compared with that before treatment, the VAS scores of the control group and the observation group were significantly improved at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment(P<0.01). The VAS score of the control group after 3 months of treatment was significantly higher than that of one week and one month after treatment(P<0.01). There were no significant differences in VAS scores at three months compared with those of the first week and the first month after treatment in the observation group(P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the VAS scores of the observation group were significantly improved at 1 month and 3 months after treatment(P<0.01). There was significant difference between the two groups in total remarked efficacy rate(P<0.05). Conclusion Nerve block combined with shock wave therapy for occipital neuralgia can obtain better clinical efficacy.