A randomized controlled trial of radiofrequency denervation of the ramus communicans nerve for chronic discogenic low back pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation of the ramus communicans nerve in patients suffering from chronic discogenic low back pain.

Methods: Forty-nine patients who suffered chronic discogenic low back pain at only 1 painful vertebral level, and whose pain continued after undergoing intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty (IDET), were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The lesion group (n = 26) received RF thermocoagulation of the ramus communicans nerve.