Radio-Frequency Ablation Treatment of Chronic Neck and Low Back Pain Attributable to Facet Joints
Spine pain is a major cause of disability for which conservative treatment strategies are not universally effective. Radio-frequency ablation of nerves supplying the zygapophysial joints should be considered in selected patients for whom routine treatments do not provide acceptable
relief. Following a brief discussion of the principles of radio-frequency therapy, we describe the relevant anatomy, appropriate patient selection, and basic procedural techniques for ablative therapies of the cervical and lumbar zygapophysial joints.
Learning Objectives: Understand the anatomy, indications, and techniques for radio-frequency ablative treatment of cervical and lumbar zygapophysial joint pain.
Learning Objectives: Understand the anatomy, indications, and techniques for radio-frequency ablative treatment of cervical and lumbar zygapophysial joint pain.
Keywords: CRF = continuous radiofrequency; INR = international normalized ratio; PRF = pulsed radiofrequency; RF = radiofrequency; RFA = radiofrequency ablation; TON = third occipital nerve
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: June 1, 2014
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