Pulsed Versus Conventional Radio Frequency Ablation for Lumbar Facet Joint Dysfunction

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a common source of discomfort and disability. A majority of the US adult population will experience and seek medical attention for the treatment of LBP at some point in their lives. The zygapophysial (facet) joint is a commonly accepted source of LBP and directed interventions exist to address facet-mediated LBP. Hoping to provide longer pain relief, the practice of medial branch denervation utilizing either pulsed or conventional thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be undertaken. While conventional thermal RFA is widely acknowledged as a viable method to denervate the medial branches for pain relief, pulsed radiofrequency (pRFA) has yet to gain widespread acceptance due to lack of evidence. However, pRFA for facet joint dysfunction may have a role in specific clinical situations.