Radiofrequency treatment of peripheral nerves.

Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2002 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

← Research stream

UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 3773

Study snapshot

PublicationPain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2002

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Treatment of chronic refractory pain in which peripheral nerves are involved has proven to be difficult. Neurolysis by surgical, chemical, cryogenic, or thermal means may be considered as an option on seldom occasions, because of the risk of neuritis and deafferentation pain, motor deficit, and potential unintentional damage to nontargeted tissue. To our knowledge, there is only 1 report concerning selective radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the obturator and femoral nerves that was published. The introduction of the non-neurodestructive pulsed radiofrequency technique has provided new possibilities for the treatment of peripheral nerves. Today there is some experience with the management of chronic shoulder pain and additional case reports on other indications.

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 typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The article discusses radiofrequency treatment approaches for peripheral nerves in chronic refractory pain, noting limited prior reporting on selective RF treatment of obturator and femoral nerves. It states that pulsed radiofrequency is non-neurodestructive and has provided new possibilities, with some experience reported for chronic shoulder pain and additional case reports for other indications.

Outcomes measured

chronic refractory pain treatment
peripheral nerve management
adverse effects of neurolysis (neuritis, deafferentation pain, motor deficit, unintended tissue damage)

Limitations

Appears to be a narrative overview without reported original study data in the abstract
No quantitative results, exposure parameters, or sample sizes provided
Evidence described as limited to a small number of reports/case reports

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical procedure (radiofrequency treatment)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "chronic refractory pain treatment",
    "peripheral nerve management",
    "adverse effects of neurolysis (neuritis, deafferentation pain, motor deficit, unintended tissue damage)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The article discusses radiofrequency treatment approaches for peripheral nerves in chronic refractory pain, noting limited prior reporting on selective RF treatment of obturator and femoral nerves. It states that pulsed radiofrequency is non-neurodestructive and has provided new possibilities, with some experience reported for chronic shoulder pain and additional case reports for other indications.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Appears to be a narrative overview without reported original study data in the abstract",
    "No quantitative results, exposure parameters, or sample sizes provided",
    "Evidence described as limited to a small number of reports/case reports"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "pulsed radiofrequency",
    "peripheral nerves",
    "chronic pain",
    "neurolysis",
    "shoulder pain"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1046/j.1533-2500.2002.02033.x
PubMed: 17147740

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library