RFA Using Multi-Tined Electrodes vs.Traditional Electrodes for Lumbar Spondylosis

Spondylosis is an anatomical defect of the small facet joints between the spinal vertebrae often due to load bearing and mechanical wear. It is a major contributor to lower back pain. The current standard of care in patients diagnosed with spondylosis in the lower back is to perform a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lumbar medial branch nerves which carry the pain signals from that region to the brain. RFA accomplishes this by using radio waves transmitted through inserted electrodes. This leads to a temporary lesion or "burn"; stopping the pain signals from being transmitted as as well as changing the pain signals themselves. The electrodes themselves do not heat up but instead cause ions in the surrounding tissue to vibrate and heat up. When performing the procedure at the UAMS pain clinic, one can use the Stryker system with a single electrode end which protrudes out of the cannu