Comparative Effectiveness of Two Different Approaches to Radiofrequency Ablation of Lumbar Medial Branch Nerves
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Summary
The purpose of this voluntary research study is to determine whether the parasagittal approach to lumbar medial branch (LMB) nerve radio frequency ablation (RFA) will have greater efficacy than the traditional approach to lumbar medial branch nerve radio frequency ablation.
Description
To determine whether the parasagittal approach to lumbar medial branch (LMB) nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) will have greater efficacy than the traditional approach to lumbar medial branch nerve radiofrequency ablation. This will be accomplished by comparing the results between the newly proposed parasagittal approach and the traditional approach of medial branch RFA done on the same patient (different sites) with bilateral low back pain (LBP). Traditional approach: The electrode is introduced at a 15-20 degrees' ipsilateral oblique angle to the sagittal plane toward the junction of th…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Bilateral equally intense axial low back pain 2. Pain duration of ≥ 6 months 3. Three-day average NRS scores of ≥ 3/10 4. Age greater than 18 years 5. Failure of conservative treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy 6. Positive response to a series of two bilateral diagnostic lumbar medial branch nerve blocks (≥ 80% pain relief). This is the current standard of care. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Radicular pain below the knee 2. Systemic infection or localized infection at the anticipated introducer entry site 3. Pregnancy 4. Aller…
Interventions
- ProcedureRadiofrequency ablation of lumbar medial branch nerves.
Traditional approach: The electrode is introduced at a 15-20 degrees' ipsilateral oblique angle to the sagittal plane toward the junction of the superior articular process (SAP) and transverse process (TP) of the vertebral body to target the traversing medial branch nerve. Parasagittal (new) approach: The RF cannula is placed parasagittally and more dorsally. The remainder of the procedure does not differ from the traditional method.
Location
- Penn State Hershey College of MedicineHershey, Pennsylvania