Sustained relief from chronic neck pain with cooled radiofrequency ablation

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Created On: 20/12/2024

Cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) uses thermal energy generated by electrical currents to interrupt the transmission of pain signals along nociceptive pathways, leading to pain reduction via nerve tissue necrosis. This study examined whether c-RFA can decrease pain scores in patients with chronic neck pain from cervical facet joint arthropathy, including the duration and extent of the reduction.

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Key take away

Cooled radiofrequency ablation significantly reduces chronic neck pain from cervical facet joint arthropathy, with notable relief lasting for several months.

Background

Method

This retrospective study analyzed 298 cervical c-RFA procedures. Data included pre- and post-operative pain scores, patient demographics, and duration of pain relief. A two-tailed paired t-test evaluated the significance of pain score changes.

Result

Out of 450 procedures reviewed, 298 met the criteria for analysis, involving 203 patients (129 women, 74 men; average age 56.03 years). Improvement in pain symptoms was observed in 85.23% of cases, with 6% reporting complete remission, 8.72% experiencing no change, and 3.02% reporting worsening symptoms. Pre-operative pain scores averaged 6.15, which dropped to 3.64 post-operation, representing a 48.04% average reduction. Pain relief lasted an average of 6.67 months.

Conclusion

c-RFA, a minimally invasive therapy, shows significant potential as a minimally invasive treatment for chronic neck pain due to cervical facet joint issues, especially for those who haven't responded to conventional therapies. This emphasizes the significance of efficient pain control options for boosting quality of life in chronic pain sufferers.