1354 - Long-Term Outcomes After Cervical Radiofrequency Ablation

Axial neck pain originating from the zygapophyseal joints can be treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branches of the dorsal rami. The optimal technique for performing this procedure is described by the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS). A recent systematic review that included 4 studies of RFA using optimal technique found that 63% of patients were pain-free at 6 months (Engel et al., 2016, Pain Medicine). The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term outcomes after cervical RFA for patients who had the procedure performed using IPSIS technique.

Design:

This retrospective cohort study evaluates patient outcomes after cervical RFA performed between Nov. 2017 and Jan. 2025 by two PM&R physicians who are IPSIS instructors at the same institution. Data collection was comprised of a chart review to gather patient demographics, procedure details, any repeated procedures and outcomes described at clinic visits.

Results:

44 patients had cervical RFA performed. Average duration of pain prior to RFA was 47 months and average NRS was 6/10. 11 and 27 patients were lost to follow-up at 1 month and 6 months, respectively. 14% of patients had no relief after RFA at 1 month follow-up. Patients with relief at 1 month (n = 27) reported 61% relief on average. Of patients who followed up at 6 months (n = 17), 65% had continued relief, 74% relief on average. Of patients who had RFA repeated (n = 6), average time before repeat was 14 months.

Conclusions:

Most patients who received cervical RFA using IPSIS technique had continued relief at 1 and 6 months. This is consistent with previous studies. Future work is planned which will collect electronic surveys to capture long-term outcomes from all patients, including those lost to follow-up.