A Trial of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves for theTreatment of Lumbar Facet Syndrome

Exclusion Criteria

• •Focal neurologic signs or symptoms.
• •Radiologic evidence of a symptomatic herniated disc or nerve root impingement related to spinal stenosis.
• •Previous radiofrequency ablation treatment for similar symptoms.
• •Patient refusal.
• •Lack of consent.
• •Active systemic or local infections at the site of proposed needle and electrode placement.
• •Coagulopathy or other bleeding disorder, current use of anticoagulants or anti-platelet medications.
• •Allergy to medications being used for injection procedures (contrast dye, local anesthetic, IV sedative).
• •Inability to read English, communicate with staff, or participate in follow up.
• •Pregnancy.
• •Cognitive deficit.
• •Negative response to diagnostic intra-articular facet injections or medial branch blocks, defined as \< 75% reduction in pain following diagnostic blocks with local anesthetic (0.5mL of 0.5% bupivacaine OR 0.5 mL of 2% lidocaine).
• •Daily opiate analgesic use more exceeding 3 months prior to study inclusion.
• •Unstable medical or psychiatric illness.