Cryoneurolysis for Facet Mediated Chronic Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Facet Joint Pain
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Low Back Pain focused on measuring low back pain
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Male or female volunteers, at least 18 years of age at screening Primary complaint of axial low-back pain suggestive of unilateral or bilateral facet joint involvement (i.e., facet mediated CLBP) Low back pain is chronic (i.e., > 3 months' duration) Low back pain score of ≥ 4 (i.e., moderate pain) on the 0 to 10 NRS or functional impairment at screening Successful trial of two diagnostic medial branch blocks consisting of two positive blocks with local anesthetic only (i.e., no steroids) that results in at least 50% relief of primary (index) pain for the duration of the local anesthetic used or history of a positive response to prior radiofrequency treatment (i.e., ≥ 6 months prior to enrollment) Failure of at least three months of conservative non-operative therapy (e.g., physical therapy, chiropractic care, spinal injections, NSAIDs or other appropriate analgesics), Able to provide informed consent, adhere to the study visit schedule, and complete all study assessments Exclusion Criteria: Active workers' compensation, personal injury, Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), or other litigation/compensation related to the spine Serious spinal disorders (verified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) that may impact outcomes, including any of the following: Suspected cauda equina syndrome (e.g., bowel/bladder dysfunction) Infection Tumor Traumatic fracture Systemic inflammatory spondyloarthropathy Lumbar radiculopathy/radiculitis (i.e., root irritation and deficit) Neurogenic claudication Prior lumbar spinal fusion surgery Comorbidity that, in the judgment of the Investigator, may affect the subject's ability to participate in the study including lumbar radiculopathy and neuropathic pain disorder Currently pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant during the study Known contraindication to study devices, including any of the following: Cryoglobulinemia Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria Cold urticaria Raynaud's disease Open and/or infected wounds at or near the treatment site Coagulopathy 3.5-inch needle cannot be used in the low back region because of habitus Severe chronic pain disorder that in the opinion of the investigator may impact postsurgical outcomes Presence of any of the following: Spinal neurostimulator Intrathecal analgesic drug pump Current manifestation of poorly controlled mental illness that in the opinion of the investigator may meaningfully impact treatment outcomes, including any of the following: Mood disorder (e.g., major depression, bipolar) Psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia) Subject received other spine intervention/therapies in the 30 days prior to block administration (e.g., spinal injections, minimally invasive therapies, surgical therapies) Subject received radiofrequency ablation in the low back region ≤ 6 months before study enrollment History, suspicion, or clinical manifestation of: Alcohol abuse or dependence Illicit drug use Opioid abuse or dependence (≥40 mg MED PO/day in past 30 days) Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the subject must be medically fit/cleared for treatment by the investigator. If there is a concern about a subject's recent or potential exposure to COVID-19, or if the subject is not medically fit/cleared for treatment due to suspected COVID-19 illness/symptoms (or other serious illness), the subject must be excluded per Exclusion criterion #4.
Sites / Locations
- The Albany & Saratoga Centers For Pain Management
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Cryoneurolysis
Radiofrequency ablation
Subjects will receive iovera° cryoneurolysis to the medial branch nerves of the lumbar spine
Subjects will receive RFA to the medial branch nerves of the lumbar spine