ID: 208462 Medial Branch Radiofrequency Denervation Improves Pain, Quality-of-Life, and Disability in Patients With Chronic Spinal Pain

Abstract

Facet joints are clinically important spinal pain generators in 15%-45% of patients with chronic low back pain, 48% with thoracic pain, and 54%-67% with chronic neck pain.1 Radiofrequency (RF) denervation is a minimally invasive procedure that conventionally uses heat generated by radio waves to target peripheral nerves; specifically, the medial branches of the dorsal rami for facetogenic pain. The benefit of RF procedures in the management of chronic low back pain has recently been questioned.2 Broad variations in clinical practice, however, underlined the need for standardization.3 The aim of this abstract is to affirm the role of these techniques in managing chronic spinal pain.