Effect of the Temperature Used in Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Back Pain, Back Pain |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Musculoskeletal |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 2/3/2019 |
| Start Date: | May 2014 |
| End Date: | February 2021 |
| Contact: | Nagy Mekhail, MD, PhD |
| Email: | mekhain@ccf.org |
| Phone: | 216 445-8329 |
Effect of the Temperature Used in Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation on Outcomes of Lumbar Facets Medial Branches Denervation Procedures: A Randomized Double-Blinded Trial
Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a significant health care issue in the United States and
the world. CLBP contributes to decreased quality of life, decreased function and increased
utilization of health care resources. The causes of CLBP tend to be multi‐factorial.
Arthropathy of the lumbar facet joints is thought to be a common etiology (15‐45%).
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerve of the facet joint is a
well‐established treatment modality used to decrease facet joint pains. However, a wide range
of temperature is being used (70‐90 degrees Celsius). In addition, the optimal temperature
that provides the best patient outcomes with the least side effects is not well established
in the pain management literature.
This study will determine if lumbar facets medial branches RFA at 90 degrees Celsius provides
more overall pain relief (i.e., percent of improvement), when compared to ablation at 80
degrees Celsius with no additional adverse events. Furthermore, ablation of the lumbar facets
nerve supply at 90 degrees Celsius will provide better improvement in the functionality
level, general mood and quality of life as measured by VAS ( Visual Analog Scale) pain score,
Pain Disability Index (PDI), McGill Pain questioner scores and Beck Inventory (BI) scores as
those receiving the ablation at 80 degrees Celsius. Also, it is associated with less opioid
consumption, no additional unwanted adverse events and/or complications along with less need
to repeat RFA procedure over one year period.
the world. CLBP contributes to decreased quality of life, decreased function and increased
utilization of health care resources. The causes of CLBP tend to be multi‐factorial.
Arthropathy of the lumbar facet joints is thought to be a common etiology (15‐45%).
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerve of the facet joint is a
well‐established treatment modality used to decrease facet joint pains. However, a wide range
of temperature is being used (70‐90 degrees Celsius). In addition, the optimal temperature
that provides the best patient outcomes with the least side effects is not well established
in the pain management literature.
This study will determine if lumbar facets medial branches RFA at 90 degrees Celsius provides
more overall pain relief (i.e., percent of improvement), when compared to ablation at 80
degrees Celsius with no additional adverse events. Furthermore, ablation of the lumbar facets
nerve supply at 90 degrees Celsius will provide better improvement in the functionality
level, general mood and quality of life as measured by VAS ( Visual Analog Scale) pain score,
Pain Disability Index (PDI), McGill Pain questioner scores and Beck Inventory (BI) scores as
those receiving the ablation at 80 degrees Celsius. Also, it is associated with less opioid
consumption, no additional unwanted adverse events and/or complications along with less need
to repeat RFA procedure over one year period.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age >18 years‐old
- Subjects who are able to give informed consent and to understand and comply with study
requirements.
- Predominantly axial low back pain ≥ 3 months in duration with no radicular pain below
the knee that failed to conservative therapy.
- Subjects who have chronic back pain attributed to lumbar facet joints arthropathy
based on clinical evaluation (paraspinal tenderness and/or facet loading test in the
absence of signs and symptoms suggestive of focal neurological deficits).
- No history of previous back surgery at the intended treatment levels.
- Adequate response to the diagnostic blocks without the use of steroids at the same
levels of the intended block (Defined as ≥ 70% pain relief).
- Patients who will undergo RFA of 3‐4 lumbar facet medial branches on one side only.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects who decline to provide written consent or follow‐up.
- Subjects who have a history of adverse reactions to local anesthetic.
- Subjects who are pregnant.
- Subjects with bleeding disorders or active anticoagulation that cannot be stopped for
few days close to the time of the procedure.
- Subjects who have an active systemic or local infection.
- Presence of radicular pain below the knee.
- Patients who have other specific etiology of low back pain (e.g. significant spinal
canal stenosis or grade 2 or 3 spondylolisthesis).
- Secondary gain (i.e., ongoing litigation, worker's compensation or other financial
incentives)
- Psychopathology including depression, somatization or poor coping skills
- Physical factors including non‐sedentary lifestyle, e.g.; morbid obesity (BMI >
35kg/m2).
- History of previous RFA at the same level(s) in the previous 12 months.
We found this trial at
1
site
2049 E 100th St
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
(216) 444-2200
Principal Investigator: Nagy Mekhail, MD, PhD
Phone: 216-444-9950
Cleveland Clinic Foundation The Cleveland Clinic (formally known as The Cleveland Clinic Foundation) is a...
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