The effectiveness of sacral lateral branch radiofrequency neurotomy for posterior sacroiliac joint complex pain in patients selected by dual sacral lateral branch blocks; A real-world cohort study.

Background: Previous study of spinal neurotomy procedures indicates that stringent block selection improves outcomes. However, this pattern is not established for sacral lateral branch radiofrequency neurotomy (SLBRFN). Few SLBRFN studies have used stringent block selection criteria such as ≥80 % pain reduction following dual sacral lateral branch blocks (SLBB).

A description and outcome evaluation of sacrococcygeal joint radiofrequency neurotomy for treatment of chronic coccydynia - A dorsal approach.

Background: Coccydynia is a condition characterized by pain and tenderness in the coccyx region of the spine. Chronic coccydynia (≥3-months) management remains a clinical challenge. Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) targeting the sacrococcygeal joint (SCJ) and/or 1st intercoccygeal joint (ICJ) margins has emerged as an alternative, minimally invasive intervention for refractory coccydynia.

Can ultrasound-guided medial branch blocks be used to select patients for cervical facet joint radiofrequency neurotomy? A matched retrospective cohort validation study.

Background: Medial branch blocks are used to select patients for cervical facet joint radiofrequency neurotomy (CRFN). Blocks are typically performed under fluoroscopic guidance (ie, fluoroscopy-guided blocks [FLBs]). The validity of ultrasound-guided blocks (USBs) is not well established.

The effectiveness and predictive factors of Sacroiliac Joint Radiofrequency Neurotomy success - A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) accounts for 10-27% of lower back pain. Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is commonly utilized for refractory pain. Outcomes are variable and may be related to patient selection and procedural technique differences.

Cervical facet joint platelet-rich plasma in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: A prospective case series of longer term 6- and 12- month outcomes.

Objective: To explore the 6- and 12-month effectiveness of a single autologous injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in cervical facet joints of people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain.

Design: A prospective case series of people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and cervical facet joint mediated pain in a community setting.

Interventions: We investigated 44 consecutive people who underwent cervical facet joint PRP ( ​± ​adjunct physiotherapy) between 2019 and 2021, selected for PRP based on 80% relief following single diagnostic medial branch blocks or 50% relief and a significant improvement in performing a previously limited activity of daily living.

The Association Between Sleep Disturbance and Health Outcomes in Chronic Whiplash-associated Disorders: A Series of Mediation Analyses.

Objectives: To investigate the association between sleep disturbance and clinical features of chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). We also aimed to use a bootstrapped mediation analysis approach to systematically examine both direct and indirect pathways by which sleep disturbance may affect chronic pain and functional status.

Materials And Methods: One hundred sixty-five people (63% female) with chronic WAD and not taking medications for sleep disturbance completed questionnaires evaluating sleep disturbance, pain intensity, pain interference, disability, physical and mental health quality of life, stress, anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and posttraumatic stress severity.

Radiofrequency Ablation of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve for the Treatment of Chronic Anterior Inferomedial Knee Pain.

Intro: Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (GNRFA) is an effective treatment for chronic knee pain related to osteoarthritis. It is often utilized when conservative management has failed and patients wish to avoid arthroplasty, are poor surgical candidates due to comorbid medical conditions, or in those suffering from persistent pain after arthroplasty. The classic targets for GNRFA include the superior lateral genicular nerve, superior medial genicular nerve, and inferior medial genicular nerve but multiple anatomic studies have demonstrated additional sensory innervation to the knee.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency Ablation for SI joint pain:An observational study.

Objective: An ultrasound (US) guided RFA technique for the SIJ, utilizing bipolar RF cannula placements along the lateral sacral crest (LSC), has been proposed in anatomical studies. This study evaluated changes in pain intensity, function and quality of life following this technique.

Methods: Patients achieving ≥50% pain relief on two blocks (one FL- and one US-guided) were included.

An assessment of the minimal clinically important difference for the pain disability quality-of-Life Questionnaire-Spine.

Objective: The Pain Disability Quality-Of-Life Questionnaire-Spine (PDQQ-S) is a validated six question patient reported outcome measure designed for usage in minimally invasive spine intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for the PDQQ-S.

Design: Retrospective single arm cohort study involving 411 patients who had undergone lumbar facet and/or sacroiliac joint RFN and had completed pre-and 3-month post RFN PDQQ-S.

An assessment of the validity and responsiveness of the Numerical Rating Scale version of the Pain Disability Quality-Of-Life Questionnaire-Spine.

The Numerical Rating Scale Version of the Pain Disability Quality-Of-Life Questionnaire-Spine (NRS PDQQ-S) is a six question compensate patient reported outcome measure designed for use in the field of minimally invasive interventional spine care. Although acceptable reliability, validity and responsiveness have been confirmed for the Visual Analog Scale version of the PDQQ-S in patients undergoing lumbosacral spine corticosteroid injections and radiofrequency neurotomy, the Numerical Rating Scale version has undergone limited psychometric assessment. The purposes of this study were to define the validity and responsiveness of the NRS PDQQ-S, and to do so in a cohort undergoing an emerging type of spine intervention (platelet rich plasma [PRP] injection).

Cervical facet joint platelet-rich plasma in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: A prospective case series of short-term outcomes.

Objective: To explore the safety and feasibility of a single autologous injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in cervical facet joints of people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain, and explore the association between pain relief reported with diagnostic medial branch blocks (MBBs) and 3-months post-PRP.

Design: A prospective case series of people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and cervical facet joint mediated pain in a community setting.

Interventions: A single autologous PRP injection was provided to cervical facet joints under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance.

Ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive looped thread fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg: A cadaveric feasibility study.

Background: - Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is an exertional pain syndrome that typically affects the lower legs of participants involved in high-intensity running or marching activities. Surgical open fasciotomy is the standard treatment for recalcitrant cases of CECS. Alternative, minimally invasive fasciotomy techniques are emerging which may reduce rates of procedural complications and expedite recovery.

Evaluation of an Ultrasound-Assisted Longitudinal Axis Lateral Crest Approach to Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and procedural characteristics of a novel, ultrasound/fluoroscopically guided technique (longitudinal axis sacroiliac joint radiofrequency ablation) for sacroiliac joint denervation.

Design: A single-arm cohort with historical cohort comparison was used in this study.

Methods: Thirty-seven participants underwent longitudinal axis sacroiliac joint radiofrequency ablation after 50% or more pain reduction after diagnostic dual-block criterion.

Sacroiliac Joint Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a potential treatment for those with sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. There is no consensus on the optimal procedural techniques for SIJ diagnostic blocks, or RFA. This article describes different techniques for SIJ diagnostic blocks and RFA, including the relevant innervation that underlies these techniques.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Carpal Tunnel Release: A Cadaveric Study.

Objective: The looped thread carpal tunnel release (TCTR) procedure is a minimally invasive percutaneous technique performed under ultrasound (US) to transect the transverse carpal ligament in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Study objectives were to evaluate the accuracy of identifying key US landmarks, safety, effectiveness, and technical difficulty of TCTR.

Design: Fourteen lightly embalmed cadaveric distal forearm-hand specimens were subject to US identification of key landmarks, TCTR procedure, and post-TCTR dissection.

Medication management of chronic pain: A comparison of 2 care delivery models.

Background: The prevalence of chronic pain is high and increasing. Medication management is an important component of chronic pain management. There is a shortage of physicians who are available and comfortable providing this service.

A Cadaveric Study Evaluating the Feasibility of an Ultrasound-Guided Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Technique for Sacroiliac Joint Pain.

Background And Objectives: Ultrasound (US)-guided diagnostic block/radiofrequency ablation (RFA) along the lateral sacral crest (LSC) has been proposed for managing sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. We sought to investigate (1) ease of visualization of bony landmarks using US; (2) consistency of US-guided needle placement along the LSC; and (3) percentage of the posterior sacral network (PSN) innervating the SIJ complex that would be captured if an RFA strip lesion were created between the needles.

Methods: In 10 cadaveric specimens, 3 needles were placed bilaterally along the LSC from the first to third transverse sacral tubercles (TSTs) using US guidance.

Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot project.

Context: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been recognized as a management option for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), although limited research exists to substantiate its effectiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in the management of CTS.

Methods: This single-blinded quasi-controlled trial was conducted at an academic institution.

Is it useful to repeat sacroiliac joint provocative tests post-block?

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of repeating sacroiliac joint (SIJ) provocative tests post-block.

Design: Thirty-four patients with suspected unilateral mechanical SIJ pain participated. Eleven had confirmed SIJ origin pain (>79% pain relief with fluoroscopically guided comparative local anesthetic intra-articular blocks), whereas 23 were confirmed not to have SIJ origin pain (<80% pain relief with a single local anesthetic intra-articular block).

Multidisciplinary chronic pain management in a rural Canadian setting.

Introduction: Chronic pain is prevalent, complex and most effectively treated by a multidisciplinary team, particularly if psychosocial issues are dominant. The limited access to and high costs of such services are often prohibitive for the rural patient. We describe the development and 18-month outcomes of a small multidisciplinary chronic pain management program run out of a physician's office in rural Alberta.

A prospective outcome study on the effects of facet joint radiofrequency denervation on pain, analgesic intake, disability, satisfaction, cost, and employment.

Objective: To assess the effect of radiofrequency denervation (RFD) on patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) of facet joint origin.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Interventional pain management program.