Long-term follow-up in sacroiliac joint pain patients treated with radiofrequency ablative therapy

Abstract

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is responsible for up to 40% of all cases of lumbar back pain. Objective: Report the long-term efficacy of radiofrequency denervation for sacroiliac joint pain at six, twelve and eighteen months. Method: Third-two adults’ patients with sacroiliac join pain diagnosis were included for a prospective study. Primary outcome measure was pain intensity on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measure was Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGIC). Results: Short-term pain relief was observed, with the mean NRS pain score decreasing from 7.7 ± 1.8 at baseline to 2.8 ± 1.2 at one month and to 3.1 ± 1.9 at six months post-procedure (p < 0.001). Long-term pain relief was sustained at twelve and eighteen months post-procedure, with NRS pain remaining at 3.4 ± 2.1 and 4.0 ± 2.7, respectively. Conclusion: Radiofrequency denervation of the SIJ can significantly reduce pain in selected patients with sacroiliac syndrome.