Percutaneous radiofrequency facet denervation.
Percutaneous RF facet denervation is a valid, low-risk means of treating 'mechanical' pain syndromes in previously unoperated patients with back and/or leg pain. In the series of 126 patients, reported long-term overall success was 42%. With improved technique and patient selection, success rate has increased to 67%. This procedure appears to be increasing in clinical value as a more conservative means of treating certain back pain problems, thus avoiding definitive surgery.
D001416:Back Pain / Q000601:surgery; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D007596:Joints / Q000294:innervation*; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000601:surgery; D011846:Radio Waves; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000601:surgery*