• RF FOR LUMBAR PAIN
• RF FOR SACROILIAC JOINT PAIN
• PULSED RF FOR RADICULAR PAIN
• RF FOR CEREVICAL PAIN

STUDY GOAL

To determine the effectiveness of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) in conventional practice.

METHODOLOGY

RFN practitioners: Lumbar RFN was performed by two experienced practitioners (two independent practices) trained according to rigorous guidelines.

Patients: 106 patients were selected to receive RFN based on complete lumbar pain relief following diagnostic medial branch blocks.

• Patient’s VAS and NRS pain scores, as well as daily living activities were recorded before treatment and during follow-up visits post-procedure. Data recording and analysis were performed in a double-blind setup.
• Complete pain relief, for at least 6 months, accompanied by complete restoration of daily living activities (including the return to work), and no need for any other health care intervention, was adopted as the cardinal criterion for a successful outcome.

RFN procedure: All procedures were carried out with 16-gauge (1.6 mm diameter) Cosman RRE electrodes.

• Either 10 cm or 15 cm electrodes were used, depending on the size of the patient. Electrodes with either 5 mm or 10 mm exposed tips were placed parallel to the medial branches, across the necks of the superior articular processes.
• RFN lesions were created to cover the likely location of the nerves.

RESULTS

• In the two practices, 58% (Practice A) and 53% (Practice B) of patients achieved a successful outcome, with complete pain relief and restoration of daily activities.
• In both practices, pain relief lasted 15 months, from the first RFN procedure.
• Allowing for repeat treatment, patients had sustained pain relief for a median duration of 13 months, with 70% of the patients still reporting relief at follow-up.