RFA Using Multi-Tined Electrodes vs.Traditional Electrodes for Lumbar Spondylosis

Spondylosis is an anatomical defect of the small facet joints between the spinal vertebrae often due to load bearing and mechanical wear. It is a major contributor to lower back pain. The current standard of care in patients diagnosed with spondylosis in the lower back is to perform a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lumbar medial branch nerves which carry the pain signals from that region to the brain. RFA accomplishes this by using radio waves transmitted through inserted electrodes. This leads to a temporary lesion or "burn"; stopping the pain signals from being transmitted as as well as changing the pain signals themselves. The electrodes themselves do not heat up but instead cause ions in the surrounding tissue to vibrate and heat up. When performing the procedure at the UAMS pain clinic, one can use the Stryker system with a single electrode end which protrudes out of the cannula or the Stratus Nimbus electrode with two prongs which expand in a "V"; formation along the sides of the cannula. While testing in chicken tissue shows that the latter electrode type produces a larger lesion size, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may lead to longer term pain relief. As such, the choice is currently left up to physician preference as both are FDA approved for use in this condition. This study is trying to assess if the larger lesion size results in a reduction in impairment of activities of daily living due to pain measured by the patient-reported PROMIS (Patient Reported …

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Edward Denton, MD  ·  9018323377  ·  edenton@uams.edu

Edward E Denton, BS  ·  9018323377  ·  edenton@uams.edu

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Get one email when the public record changes — results posted, or the study's status changes. Nothing else, ever.

We email about this public record only. Unsubscribe anytime with one click. Never medical advice.