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Cooled radiofrequency denervation for treatment of sacroiliac joint pain: two-year results from 20 cases

Authors Ho K , Hadi MA, Pasutharnchat K, Tan K

Received 16 April 2013

Accepted for publication 14 May 2013

Published 4 July 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 505—511

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S46827

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Kok-Yuen Ho,1 Mohamed Abdul Hadi,2 Koravee Pasutharnchat,2 Kian-Hian Tan2

1Pain Management Centre, Raffles Hospital, 2Pain Management Centre, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

Background: Sacroiliac joint pain is a common cause of chronic low back pain. Different techniques for radiofrequency denervation of the sacroiliac joint have been used to treat this condition. However, results have been inconsistent because the variable sensory supply to the sacroiliac joint is difficult to disrupt completely using conventional radiofrequency. Cooled radiofrequency is a novel technique that uses internally cooled radiofrequency probes to enlarge lesion size, thereby increasing the chance of completely denervating the sacroiliac joint. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cooled radiofrequency denervation using the SInergyTM cooled radiofrequency system for sacroiliac joint pain.
Methods: The charts of 20 patients with chronic sacroiliac joint pain who had undergone denervation using the SInergyTM cooled radiofrequency system were reviewed at two years following the procedure. Outcome measures included the Numeric Rating Scale for pain intensity, Patient Global Impression of Change, and Global Perceived Effect for patient satisfaction.
Results: Fifteen of 20 patients showed a significant reduction in pain (a decrease of at least three points on the Numeric Rating Scale). Mean Numeric Rating Scale for pain decreased from 7.4 ± 1.4 to 3.1 ± 2.5, mean Patient Global Impression of Change was "improved" (1.4 ± 1.5), and Global Perceived Effect was reported to be positive in 16 patients at two years following the procedure.
Conclusion: Cooled radiofrequency denervation showed long-term efficacy for up to two years in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain.

Keywords: ablation, chronic low back pain, intervention, neurotomy, sacroiliitis

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