Clinical Predictors of Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Medial Branch Pulsed Radiofrequency Outcomes: A Cohort Study

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Cervical facet joints are a common source of chronic neck pain, yet factors predicting treatment response to pulsed radiofrequency remain poorly defined. This study aimed to identify predictors of treatment success following ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch pulsed radiofrequency in patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain. <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective cohort study included 54 patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain who had positive response to diagnostic block. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-procedure, with treatment success defined as ≥50% pain reduction at 6 months. <b>Results:</b> The success rate was 35.2%, and multivariate logistic regression identified four independent predictors: presence of paraspinal tenderness on physical examination, shorter pain duration, lower baseline pain intensity, and lower baseline disability. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that patients with localized facet joint pathology manifesting as paraspinal tenderness, shorter symptom duration, and lower baseline severity are most likely to benefit from this intervention, supporting early referral and careful clinical selection to optimize treatment outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2026-02-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16040590
Primary Topic
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Clinical Predictors of Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Medial Branch Pulsed Radiofrequency Outcomes: A Cohort Study

Sinan Oğuzhan Ulukaya, Mustafa Şen, Ümit Akkemik, Mehmet Sacit Güleç
Diagnostics
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
article

Clinical Predictors of Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Medial Branch Pulsed Radiofrequency Outcomes: A Cohort Study

Sinan Oğuzhan Ulukaya, Mustafa Şen, Ümit Akkemik, Mehmet Sacit Güleç
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Cervical facet joints are a common source of chronic neck pain, yet factors predicting treatment response to pulsed radiofrequency remain poorly defined. This study aimed to identify predictors of treatment success following ultrasound-guided cervical medial branch pulsed radiofrequency in patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain. <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective cohort study included 54 patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain who had positive response to diagnostic block. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed at baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-procedure, with treatment success defined as ≥50% pain reduction at 6 months. <b>Results:</b> The success rate was 35.2%, and multivariate logistic regression identified four independent predictors: presence of paraspinal tenderness on physical examination, shorter pain duration, lower baseline pain intensity, and lower baseline disability. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that patients with localized facet joint pathology manifesting as paraspinal tenderness, shorter symptom duration, and lower baseline severity are most likely to benefit from this intervention, supporting early referral and careful clinical selection to optimize treatment outcomes.

DiagnosticsVol. 16(4)
Eskişehir City Hospital (TR), Eskişehir Osmangazi University (TR)
Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 56%
Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology
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