Dolor en la articulación sacroilíaca: estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado, experimental y comparativo de la radiofrecuencia térmica con el bloqueo de la articulación sacroilíaca / Sacroiliac joint pain: Prospective, randomised, experimental and comparative study of thermal radiofrequency with sacroiliac joint block

Objetivo. Comparar el bloqueo con la radiofrecuencia térmica bipolar para el dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca. Método. Estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado y experimental en 60 pacientes, seleccionados en 9 meses en 2 centros, con dolor intenso (escala visual analógica [EVA] > 6) de > 3 meses de duración. Fueron divididos en 3 grupos (n = 20). Grupo A: pacientes a los que se les realizaron 2 bloqueos intraarticulares, con control ecográfico en 7 días. Grupo B: radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade» utilizando 6 agujas perpendiculares a la zona dorsal del sacro, a una distancia de 1 cm, para producir lesiones contiguas entre los forámenes S1-S2-S3 y la línea articular. Grupo C: radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade» modificada (distancia entre agujas > 1 cm). Los pacientes fueron evaluados al mes, a los 3 y a los 12 meses del tratamiento. Se valoraron los datos demográficos (en la visita basal), la eficacia analgésica y los efectos secundarios (en el resto). Resultados. Al mes, la reducción del dolor en los 3 grupos fue > 50% (p ≤ 0,001). A los 3 y 12 meses el grupo A no refirió disminución significativa del dolor. El grupo B, a los 3 meses, alivio cercano al 50% (p = 0,03), y < 25% (23,8) a los 12 meses (p = 0,01). En el grupo C, alivio próximo al 50% a los 3 y 12 meses (p < 0,001) respecto al basal. Todos los pacientes finalizaron el estudio. Conclusiones. La radiofrecuencia bipolar «palisade», especialmente aumentando la distancia entre las agujas, ha sido eficaz, a más largo plazo, que el bloqueo con anestésicos y corticoides en el alivio del dolor de la articulación sacroilíaca (AU)

Objective. To compare the analgesic effects between the blockade and bipolar thermal radiofrequency in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. Method. Prospective, randomised and experimental study conducted on 60 patients selected in the two hospitals over a period of nine months, who had intense sacroiliac joint pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] > 6) that lasted more than 3 months. Patients were randomised into three groups (n = 20): Group A (two intra-articular sacroiliac injections of local anaesthetic/corticosteroid guided by ultrasound in 7 days). Group B: conventional bipolar radiofrequency «palisade». Target points were the lateral branch nerves of S1, S2, and S3, distance needles 1 cm. Group C: modified bipolar radiofrequency «palisade» (needle distance > 1 cm). Patients were evaluated at one month, three months, and one year. Demographic data, VAS reduction, and side effects of the techniques were assessed. Results. One month after the treatment, pain reduction was > 50% in the three groups P < .001. Three and 12 months after the technique, the patients of the group A did not have a significant reduction in pain. At 3 months, almost 50% patients of the group B referred to improvement of the pain (P = .03), and < 25% at 12 months, and those results were statistically significant (P = .01) compared to the baseline. Group C showed an improvement of 50% at 3 and 12 months (P < .001). All patients completed the study. Conclusions. Bipolar radiofrequency «palisade», especially when the distance between the needles was increased, was more effective and lasted longer, compared to join block and steroids, in relieving pain sacroiliac joint (AU)

Sacroiliac joint pain: Prospective, randomised, experimental and comparative study of thermal radiofrequency with sacroiliac joint block.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic effects between the blockade and bipolar thermal radiofrequency in the treatment of sacroiliac joint pain. METHOD: Prospective, randomised and experimental study conducted on 60 patients selected in the two hospitals over a period of nine months, who had intense sacroiliac joint pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]>6) that lasted more than 3 months. Patients were randomised into three groups (n=20): Group A (two intra-articular sacroiliac injections of local anaesthetic/corticosteroid guided by ultrasound in 7 days). Group B: conventional bipolar radiofrequency "palisade". Target points were the lateral branch nerves of S1, S2, and S3, distance needles 1cm. Group C: modified bipolar radiofrequency "palisade" (needle distance >1cm). Patients were evaluated at one month, three months, and one year. Demographic data, VAS reduction, and side effects of the techniques were assessed. RESULTS: One month after the treatment, pain reduction was >50% in the three groups P<.001. Three and 12 months after the technique, the patients of the group A did not have a significant reduction in pain. At 3 months, almost 50% patients of the group B referred to improvement of the pain (P=.03), and <25% at 12 months, and those results were statistically significant (P=.01) compared to the baseline. Group C showed an improvement of 50% at 3 and 12 months (P<.001). All patients completed the study. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar radiofrequency "palisade", especially when the distance between the needles was increased, was more effective and lasted longer, compared to join block and steroids, in relieving pain sacroiliac joint.