title: Pulse-dose radiofrequency can reduce chronic pain in trapezio-metacarpal osteoarthritis: A mini-invasive therapeutic approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficiency of pulse-dose radiofrequency (PDRF) in the management of chronic pain in patients with trapezio-metacarpal osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five patients with trapezio-metacarpal OA were treated with the PDRF between October 2011 and September 2013. A 22-gauge cannula with a 5-cm length was introduced with percutaneous access in the lateral region of the affected trapezio-metacarpal joint. The PDRF procedure was performed with 1200 pulses at 45 V and 20 msec duration, followed by a 480 msec silent phase. The follow-up visits were performed at 1 month, 3 and 6 months after the PDRF procedure. All patients underwent a second treatment between 7 and 9 months after the first PDRF procedure with a new follow-up scheme at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores before the procedures was 8.5 ± 1.1. A great reduction in pain intensity was reported at 3 months after the PDRF procedure (mean VAS scores 3.1 ± 0.9, P < 0.05). Pain intensity began to increase back to pre-procedural values after 4 months (mean VAS scores at 6 months was 7.9 ± 1.3, P < 0.05). After the second PDRF treatment the mean VAS scores decreased to 3.3 ± 0.8 at 3 months, but increased to 8.1 ± 1.6 at 9 months. (P < 0.05). No complications after the procedures were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PDRF may be a safe, repeatable and effective short-term pain management technique in patients with trapezio-metacarpal OA. Larger, randomized controlled studies are indicated to better clarify the efficacy and utility of the PDRF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fiori
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raguso
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eros
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calabria
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuzzolino
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonetti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013997:Time Factors; D051223:Trapezoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: chronic pain; pulse dose radiofrequency; radiofrequency; trapezio-metacarpal osteoarthritis