NCT05952518

PNS vs RFA for Facet Joint Pain

Evaluation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation as an Alternative to Radiofrequency Ablation for Facet Joint Pain

• Status: Suspended
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Penn State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Radiofrequency ablation of the medial nerve is the current surgical treatment for back pain originating from the facet joints in the spine. However, this procedure causes denervation of spinal muscles. Peripheral nerve stimulation is another treatment for facet joint pain that may not cause damage to the spinal muscles. This study will compare both treatments in terms pain relief and spine biomechanics.

Conditions

• Facet Joint Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Sprint PNS system	Temporary electrical stimulation of the medial nerve with implanted wires and wearable stimulator
PROCEDURE	Radiofrequency Ablation	Thermal ablation of the medial nerve

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-20
• Primary completion: 2026-10-01
• Completion: 2027-10-01
• First posted: 2023-07-19
• Last updated: 2026-02-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study