NCT03744260

Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation and Lumbar Multifidi

The Effect of Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation on Functional Spinal Stability and Lumbar Multifidi Muscle Architecture Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound Imaging

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 4 (actual)
• Sponsor: Columbia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on lumbar multifidi muscle size and clinical spinal stability. Specifically, this study is designed to highlight the comparison of multifidi muscle architecture using ultrasound imaging (USI) and MRI before and after lumbar medial branch RFA. This study will also include a commonly utilized functional assessment of the lumbar spine to evaluate the effects of RFA on lumbar spinal stability.

Detailed description

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the lumbar spine (lower back) is a procedure used to treat lower back pain secondary to facet arthritis. The procedure ablates (burns) a small nerve that goes to the arthritic joint in the back. This nerve also innervates a muscle called the multifidus, thought to be important for lumbar stability. The investigators are conducting a study to evaluate if RFA has any impact on multifidi size, spinal stability, and overall function. The tools the investigators will be using to assess the multifidi muscles are musculoskeletal ultrasound, MRI, physical therapy assessment, and functional questionnaires. The goal of the study is to determine if RFA impacts the multifidi in a clinically significant fashion, causing atrophy, spinal instability, and/or functional decline.

Conditions

• Spondylosis
• Osteoarthritis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Patients undergo ultrasound and lumbar MRI	Patients undergo ultrasound, physical therapy exam and MRI before and after the radiofrequency ablation procedure that they are getting as part of their regular care.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-01-01
• Primary completion: 2020-06-30
• Completion: 2020-06-30
• First posted: 2018-11-16
• Last updated: 2020-07-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States