Analgesic Effect of Different Positions and Canulae on Medial Branch Radiofrequency Denervation for Lumbar Zygapophyseal Joint Pain

Evaluación de la Analgesia a Corto y Medio Plazo de Las Diferentes Posiciones y Tipos de Las cánulas de Radiofrecuencia, en la denervación Del Ramo Medial Del Nervio Dorsal Lumbar

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03491618

Acronym

EARL

Enrollment

Registered

2018-04-09

Start date

2018-03-09

Completion date

2019-12-20

Last updated

2020-01-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Lumbar Facet Joint Pain, Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomy

Keywords

lumbar facet joint pain, Lumbar Medial Branch Neurotomy, Chronic Low Back Pain

Brief summary

Prospective study to analyse pain reduction with two types of canulae and two types of placements for lumbar medial branch radiofrequency denervation.

Detailed description

Patients who suffer from lumbar zygapophyseal joint pain often receive radiofrequency medial branch denervation as treatment. Many types if canulae exist, and many types of placing them in relation to the Medial Branch nerves (MB). The EARL study tries to compare the analgesic effect of thin canulae (22 gauge) placed perpendicular to MB to thicker canulae (18 gauge) placed parallel to MB.

Interventions

OTHERPAIN REDUCTION ON VAS/NRS

Pain reduction comparing two different techniques and canulae placement, under fluoroscopic guidance.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Intervention model description

Prospective comparative study.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Low back pain of \> 3 months * 18-80 years * VAS or NRS\>6 * Positive controlled block

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnancy * Psichiatric disorders * Not being able to fulfil questionnaires * Body Mass Index\>35 * Labor Litigation * Negative or non conclusive controlled block * Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
PAIN REDUCTION ON VAS/NRS	1-3-6 months	Reduction in pain, at 1,3 and 6 months

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
OSWESTRY DISABILITY INDEX	1-3-6 months	Quantify disability for low back pain.
ROLAND MORRIS	1-3-6 months	Health status measure for low back pain
MEDICATION REDUCTION	1-3-6 months	Pain medication reduction
WORKING STATUS	1-3-6 months	CHANGE IN WORKING STATUS

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026