Radiofrequency Ablation for Zygapophyseal Joint Pain

Benjamin Gill; Cole Cheney; Nate Clements; Allison Glinka Przybsyz; Zachary L McCormick; Aaron Conger

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2022.01.001

Radiofrequency Ablation for Zygapophyseal Joint Pain

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2022 May;33(2):233-249. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2022.01.001.

Authors

Benjamin Gill¹, Cole Cheney², Nate Clements³, Allison Glinka Przybsyz⁴, Zachary L McCormick², Aaron Conger⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
² Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
⁵ Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: aaron.conger@hsc.utah.edu.

PMID: 35526970
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2022.01.001

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation for spinal zygapophyseal joint pain is a safe and effective procedure in carefully selected patients when an appropriate technique is used. The equipment and techniques for performing this procedure have evolved over the past several decades. Likewise, the selection criteria have been refined to optimize results. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of zygapophyseal joint pain, patient selection and outcomes data associated with RFA, and risks and contraindications of the procedure.

Keywords: Facet joint; Low back pain; Medial branch; Neck pain; Neurotomy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arthralgia / surgery
Catheter Ablation* / methods
Denervation / methods
Humans
Radiofrequency Ablation*
Treatment Outcome
Zygapophyseal Joint*