Cryoneurolysis versus radiofrequency ablation outcome on pain experience in chronic low back pain (COPE): a single-blinded randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: A comparison of cryoneurolysis or radio frequency (RF) with placebo in patients with facetogenic chronic low back pain (LBP) for patient global impression of change (PGIC), pain intensity, function and quality of life, with 1-year follow-up. DESIGN: Single-centre, single-blinded placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Single-centre study. PARTICIPANTS: Inclusion from March 2020 to September 2022: consenting adults over 18 years of age, LBP>3 months, average Numeric Rating Scale LBP≥4 average last 14 days and a positive response to a diagnostic medial branch block (>50% pain reduction after 60 min). INTERVENTIONS: 120 patients were block randomised 1:1:1 to cryoneurolysis, RF or placebo of the medial branch nerves. Physical therapy was added after 4 weeks for all groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was PGIC 4 weeks after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS), quality of life (Short Form 36, EQ-5D-5L), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), depression (Major Depression Inventory) and catastrophising (Pain Catastrophising Scale). Outcomes were measured at 4 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in PGIC at 4 weeks between cryoneurolysis and placebo (risk ratio (RR) 2; 95% CI 0.75 to 5.33, p=0.17) and RF and placebo (RR 1.6; 95% CI 0.57 to 4.49, p=0.37), except PGIC for cryoneurolysis at 6-month follow-up (RR 5.1; 95% CI 1.20 to 22.03, p=0.03). No statistically significant differences were found in secondary follow-up endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: Denervation of the medial branch nerve by either cryoneurolysis or RF compared with placebo did not demonstrate significant improvement in PGIC, pain intensity, function and quality of life in patients with facetogenic chronic LBP at short-term or long-term follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04786145.

Outcome and negative events in thoracic disc herniation surgery: a Danish registry study.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic disc herniation (TDH) is a surgically demanding entity. Various surgical approaches have been developed and advanced in an attempt to achieve sufficient outcomes and reduce consecutive complication rates. Still, controversy exists regarding selecting the best surgical approach. This retrospective study aims to support decision-making regarding surgical approach. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 71 patients who underwent thoracic discectomy at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, between 1996 and 2015. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether a lateral approach or a posterior approach was used. Data on demographics, symptomatology, peri- and post-operative events, length of hospitalization and discharge disposition were assembled from medical records. RESULTS: Lateral and posterior approach had an approximately equal peri-operative event rate (39% versus 36%), whereas the lateral approach was associated with a higher post-operative event rate in-hospital and post-discharge than the posterior approach (50% versus 18%; 45% versus 40%). The overall probability of improvement in clinical outcome regardless approach at follow-up was 77% in the short-term and 80% in the long-term. Odds of clinical improvement at any time point was 29% higher with the lateral approach than with the posterior approach (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.52-3.21, p = .76). Adjusting for time, the odds of clinical improvement at short-term follow-up was twice as high for the lateral than for the posterior approach (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 0.16-30.11); however, the trend seems to fade away over time (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.07-17.55). CONCLUSIONS: The probability of improving after TDH surgery is good. However, a clear conclusion regarding the best surgical approach cannot be established; thus, surgeons should consider pros and cons of each approach when allocating a patient to surgery.

Penetrating cervical traumatic spinal cord injury due to lawn mowing: an unusual case report.

We present a case of a 55-year-old farmer who suddenly experienced an electric sensation in the left half of his body during lawn mowing. Neurological examination discovered neurological deficits corresponding to an incomplete spinal cord injury. Magnetic resonance imaging displayed an artifact in the cervical region. Following, a computer tomography imaging showed a metal object, located intramedullary, in the cervical spinal cord. The conclusion was a traumatic lesion from the metal object obtained during lawn mowing. The object was evacuated surgically. Three years postoperatively, the patient was improved. Caution in diagnostics following usage of heavy machinery is advised.

National clinical guidelines for non-surgical treatment of patients with recent onset neck pain or cervical radiculopathy.

PURPOSE: To summarise recommendations about 21 selected non-surgical interventions for recent onset (<12 weeks) non-specific neck pain (NP) and cervical radiculopathy (CR) based on two guidelines from the Danish Health Authority. METHODS: Two multidisciplinary working groups formulated recommendations based on the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Twelve recommendations were based on evidence and nine on consensus. Management should include information about prognosis, warning signs, and advise to remain active. For treatment, guidelines suggest different types of supervised exercise and manual therapy; combinations of exercise and manual therapy before medicine for NP; acupuncture for NP but not CR; traction for CR; and oral NSAID (oral or topical) and Tramadol after careful consideration for NP and CR. CONCLUSION: Recommendations are based on low-quality evidence or on consensus, but are well aligned with recommendations from guidelines from North America. The working groups recommend intensifying research relating to all aspects of management of NP and CR.