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Principles and practice of radiofrequency neurolysis

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Abstract

The history, theory, and methods of modern radiofrequency lesioning are reviewed.Various considerations are advanced including suggestion of inclusion and exclusion criteria for treatment, methods of ensuring accuracy of radiofrequency lesioning, and potential side effects of radiofrequency lesioning.The authors also review the reasons why lesioning may be ineffective for some patients. Chronic pain syndromes that may benefit from treatment with radiofrequency neurolysis are specified, as are the radiofrequency techniques commonly used to treat these syndromes.The authors conclude that radiofrequency neurolysis is a highly specialized intervention that shows promise for treatment of chronic intractable pain among properly selected patients who participate in multidisciplinary treatment programs and who have failed conservative therapies. It is emphasized that the practitioner must be skilled in the exercise of proper fluoroscopic technique in order to perform accurate radiofrequency lesioning.

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  1. The Comprehensive Pain Treatment Center, PC 2700 10th Avenue South, Suite 407, 35205, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Michael Hammer MD & William Meneese PhD

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  1. Michael Hammer MD
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  2. William Meneese PhD
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Hammer, M., Meneese, W. Principles and practice of radiofrequency neurolysis. Current Review of Pain 2, 267–278 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-998-0028-z

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