{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["24(12)"],"submitter":["McCormick ZL"],"funding":["University of Utah Judith Victor Spine Research Grant","University of Utah Judith Victor Spine Research","University of Utah Carol and Leonard Raizin Spine Research Grant","Avanos Medical","investigator-initiated research grant from Avanos Medical","University of Utah Carol and Leonard Raizin Spine Research"],"pubmed_abstract":["<h4>Background</h4>Lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) and intraarticular facet steroid injections (FJI) are commonly performed for recalcitrant facet joint-mediated pain. However, no study has compared clinical outcomes of the two treatments in patients selected using dual medial branch blocks (MBBs) with an 80% relief threshold.<h4>Objective</h4>Compare the effectiveness of cooled LRFA (C-LRFA) to FIJ as assessed by pain and functional improvements.<h4>Design</h4>Prospective randomized comparative trial.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients with dual MBB-confirmed facet joint-mediated pain were randomized to receive C-LRFA or FIJ. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was ≥50% improvement in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included ≥30% Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improvement and Patient Global Impression of Chance (PGIC) ≥6 points, among others. Data were analyzed using contingency tables and mixed-effects logistic regression models.<h4>Results</h4>Of 1128 patients screened, 32 met eligibility criteria, were randomized, and received their allocated study treatment. In total, 20 (62.5%) and 12 (37.5%) participants received C-LRFA and FIJ, respectively. In the C-LRFA group, 70% (95% CI 48-85), 55% (95% CI 34-74), and 45% (95% CI 26-66) of participants met the NPRS responder definition, compared to 25% (95%CI 9-53), 25% (95% CI 9-53), and 17% (95% CI 5-45) in the FJI group at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P = .014 at 3 months). The PGIC responder proportion was higher in the C-LRFA compared to FJI group at 3 and 6 months (P < .05).<h4>Conclusions</h4>C-LRFA demonstrated superior success rates compared to FJI across pain and functional outcome domains.<h4>Trial registration details</h4>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03614793); August 3, 2018."],"journal":["Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)"],"pagination":["1318-1331"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10690866"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["A pragmatic randomized prospective trial of cooled radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch nerves versus facet joint injection of corticosteroid for the treatment of lumbar facet syndrome: 12 month outcomes."],"pmcid":["PMC10690866"],"pubmed_authors":["Conger A","Sperry BP","Cooper AN","Burnham TR","Teramoto M","Wagner G","Littell M","McCormick ZL","Kendall R","Henrie AM","Petersen R"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"A pragmatic randomized prospective trial of cooled radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch nerves versus facet joint injection of corticosteroid for the treatment of lumbar facet syndrome: 12 month outcomes.","description":"<h4>Background</h4>Lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) and intraarticular facet steroid injections (FJI) are commonly performed for recalcitrant facet joint-mediated pain. However, no study has compared clinical outcomes of the two treatments in patients selected using dual medial branch blocks (MBBs) with an 80% relief threshold.<h4>Objective</h4>Compare the effectiveness of cooled LRFA (C-LRFA) to FIJ as assessed by pain and functional improvements.<h4>Design</h4>Prospective randomized comparative trial.<h4>Methods</h4>Patients with dual MBB-confirmed facet joint-mediated pain were randomized to receive C-LRFA or FIJ. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome was ≥50% improvement in numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) score at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included ≥30% Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) improvement and Patient Global Impression of Chance (PGIC) ≥6 points, among others. Data were analyzed using contingency tables and mixed-effects logistic regression models.<h4>Results</h4>Of 1128 patients screened, 32 met eligibility criteria, were randomized, and received their allocated study treatment. In total, 20 (62.5%) and 12 (37.5%) participants received C-LRFA and FIJ, respectively. In the C-LRFA group, 70% (95% CI 48-85), 55% (95% CI 34-74), and 45% (95% CI 26-66) of participants met the NPRS responder definition, compared to 25% (95%CI 9-53), 25% (95% CI 9-53), and 17% (95% CI 5-45) in the FJI group at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P = .014 at 3 months). The PGIC responder proportion was higher in the C-LRFA compared to FJI group at 3 and 6 months (P < .05).<h4>Conclusions</h4>C-LRFA demonstrated superior success rates compared to FJI across pain and functional outcome domains.<h4>Trial registration details</h4>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03614793); August 3, 2018.","dates":{"release":"2023-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2023 Dec","modification":"2025-04-25T17:35:49.181Z","creation":"2025-04-06T04:05:23.589Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC10690866","cross_references":{"pubmed":["37578437"],"doi":["10.1093/pm/pnad107"]}}