Background: One of the most common sources of chronic low back pain (LBP) is the Sacroiliac joint (SIJ). The diagnosis and treatment of SIJ as a source of pain represent a true challenge secondary to its complicated anatomy, anatomic variation in its nerve supply and also functional biomechanisms of that region
Our aim here is to evaluate efficacy of sequential bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of chronic SIJ pain.
Methods: A clinical study conducted from June 2021 to February 2022. Selected 25 patients with positive diagnostic SIJ block, underwent RFA of SIJ with 6 months follow-up period. We recorded VAS scores at 1,3 and 6 months post-RFA and considered pain reduction ≥ 50 % in relation to pre-procedural VAS scores clinically significant. Revised Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) recorded pre-procedural for all patients and at 3- and 6-months post-procedural for assessment of functional outcome. At 6-month post-RFA, the Global Perceived Effect evaluated.
Results: 84% of patients at 6-months post-RFA obtained ≥ 50% pain relief compared to preprocedural VAS score and we had statistically significant difference between Pre-procedural VAS and 6 months post-procedural VAS. There was statistically significant difference between Pre-RFA revised ODI and 6-months post-RFA revised ODI. GPE evaluated at 6-month post-RFA where 21(84%) patients had positive responses.
Conclusion: Sequential bipolar radio-frequency ablation technique is a short-term safe and effective promising treatment alternative for refractory cases of chronic SIJ pain, however larger randomized controlled studies and a longer follow up are recommended in future studies to further support our results.