RF Safe

Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves for the treatment of non-operable hip pain.

Pain physician · 2003 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3688

In a case series of 4 patients, all reported reduced pain after percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves. Function improved in 3/4 patients and pain medication use decreased in 2/4; one patient reported hip…

Study snapshot

PublicationPain physician · 2003
Study typecase_report
Reported directionBenefit
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic hip pain is often a debilitating problem and many patients are not good surgical candidates. Furthermore, hip replacement surgery has significant associated risks. We offer a conservative approach to hip replacement using radiofrequency lesioning. METHODS: This is a case series of 4 patients who had anterior and or medial hip pain who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of the sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves. All of the patients had significant co-morbidities and the risks out weighed the benefits of surgery. All the patients had diagnostic blocks with local anesthetic to the sensory articular branches of the obturator and femoral nerves and showed temporary benefit. Continuous radiofrequency lesioning was performed from 60 degrees C to 80 degrees C for 90 seconds. The outcome measures were improvement in visual analogue scale (VAS), improvement in function and the decreased use of pain medications. RESULTS: All four patients had reduction in pain, while 3 of 4 patients had improved functioning. Two of the four patients had decreased use of their pain medication. One of the four patients reported numbness at the hip and there were no other side effects. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of the sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves appears to be a safe alternative to hip replacement, especially in those patients where surgery is not an option. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecase_report
Effect directionbenefit
PopulationPatients with chronic anterior and/or medial hip pain who were not good surgical candidates (significant co-morbidities)
Sample size4
Exposure90 seconds (continuous radiofrequency lesioning)
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a case series of 4 patients, all reported reduced pain after percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves. Function improved in 3/4 patients and pain medication use decreased in 2/4; one patient reported hip numbness and no other side effects were reported.

Outcomes measured

  • Pain reduction (VAS)
  • Function improvement
  • Decreased use of pain medications
  • Adverse effects (numbness/side effects)

Limitations

  • Case series with very small sample size (n=4)
  • No control/comparator group
  • Short/unspecified follow-up duration in abstract
  • Outcomes largely patient-reported and not fully quantified beyond counts
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "case_report",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "medical radiofrequency lesioning (percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory nerve branches)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "90 seconds (continuous radiofrequency lesioning)"
  },
  "population": "Patients with chronic anterior and/or medial hip pain who were not good surgical candidates (significant co-morbidities)",
  "sample_size": 4,
  "outcomes": [
    "Pain reduction (VAS)",
    "Function improvement",
    "Decreased use of pain medications",
    "Adverse effects (numbness/side effects)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a case series of 4 patients, all reported reduced pain after percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves. Function improved in 3/4 patients and pain medication use decreased in 2/4; one patient reported hip numbness and no other side effects were reported.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Case series with very small sample size (n=4)",
    "No control/comparator group",
    "Short/unspecified follow-up duration in abstract",
    "Outcomes largely patient-reported and not fully quantified beyond counts"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "hip pain",
    "radiofrequency lesioning",
    "obturator nerve",
    "femoral nerve",
    "pain management",
    "case series",
    "visual analogue scale"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 16871303

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