1. Radiofrequency denervation for chronic low back pain
Maas et al (2015)
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2. Radiofrequency denervation for chronic low back pain Maas et al (2015)
Overview of the study
Objectives:
To assess the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) denervation procedures for the treatment of patients with chronic LBP
Methods:
Evidence current up to 29 May 2014
Participants: People with chronic LBP with a positive response to diagnostic block or discography
Intervention: RF denervation
Outcomes:
Primary: Pain, functional status, global improvement, health-related quality of life and complications
Secondary: Ability to work and satisfaction with treatment

3. Radiofrequency denervation for chronic low back pain Maas et al (2015)
23 trials (1309 participants)
Results & Conclusions
Intervention
Evidence
Quality of evidence
Facet joint RF denervation
More effective than placebo for pain at the short-term but not in the intermediate and long-term follow-up
Low - Moderate
More effective than steroid injection for pain and patient satisfaction at any time of follow-up
Very low - Low
No more effective than steroid injection for function at long-term
Very Low
RF denervation for discogenic LBP
No more effective than steroid injection for pain and function over the short and intermediate-term
Low
RF denervation for SI join pain
No more effective than placebo for pain and function at short-term but better outcomes at long-term
Very low
Adverse events: Few, transient events were found, such as subsiding pain and lower limb weakness. It seemed to be more common and lasted longer in the RF group
Facet joint RF denervation may have a small effect compared to placebo and steroid injections on chronic low back pain. It seems to have no effect on discogenic LBP and a small effect in the long term for sacroiliac join pain.