2022 FSA Podium and Poster Abstracts

P050: RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION: OUTCOME ANALYSIS OVER FIVE YEARS.
Sam Searcy, MD; Keith Jenkins; Chris Henson, MD; Bill Mallett, MD; Blessing Ogbemudia, MD; Juan Mora, MD; Vyshakh Shibu; Rene Przkora, MD, PHD; University of Florida

Background: Chronic low back pain is a debilitating condition that will affect at least 80% of the population at least once in their lifetime. Lumbar facet arthropathy is the leading cause of this condition, which negatively affects society, the economy, and the healthcare system. Our aim was to examine the efficacy of lumbar radiofrequency lesioning as a therapy for lumbar facet arthropathy. This technique involves using heat to ablate the transmission of nerve signals from the medial branches of the spinal nerves associated with the corresponding degenerated lumbar joints.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of patients undergoing lumbar radiofrequency ablation at an academic pain program in terms of pain reduction and duration of pain relief, as well as functional status improvement.

Study Design: Retrospective review of electronic medical records (IRB # 201901280)

Setting: UF Health Division of Pain Medicine

Methods: We reviewed the charts of 232 patients. Age, body mass index, gender, opioid use, complications, and previously attempted procedures were included in the chart review, in addition to the primary outcome measurements of pain relief percentages, pain relief duration, functional status improvement, and time to next follow-up. Gender differences were evaluated with t tests and χ2.

Results: Patients had an average pain reduction of 76.6% (SD = 24.5) from the initial treatment. Patients had an average of 30.7 weeks (SD = 21.2) of pain relief from the initial treatment. Eighty-three percent of patients reported improvement in functional status from initial treatment. Women (mean = 79.8%, SD = 21.4) had a slightly higher pain relief percentage than men (mean = 71.6%, SD = 28.1, p = 0.046).

Limitations: The study did not have a randomized design.

Conclusions: This study highlights the benefits in pain relief and functional improvement for patients undergoing this procedure at our institution.

Key words: lumbar facet arthropathy, lumbar radiofrequency ablation, chronic low back pain, interventional pain