Evaluation of Multi-Tined Expandable Electrode (MEE) Efficacy and Safety in Treatment of Lumbar Facet Arthropathy by Radiofrequency Neurotomies Compared to Conservative Medical Management.

NCT ID: NCT04730700

Last Updated: 2025-11-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-12-17

Study Completion Date

2026-11-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to better understand how people feel after a radiofrequency ablation standard of care surgery using a different type of needle (multi-tined expandable electrode/MEE) in comparison to receiving conventional medical management (CMM) techniques.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Chronic Low-back Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with MEE

Radiofrequency ablation involves a minimally invasive procedural technique. It uses radiofrequency waves to burn the nerve causing pain. This nerve will no longer be able to send pain signals to your brain. For this study, the multi-tined expandable electrode needle will be used. This needle will result in a larger treatment area. This may result in better pain relief and longer lasting pain relief. If you undergo the radiofrequency ablation procedure you will have pain medication injected where the ablation will be done. The procedure will take about 20 mins to complete. You will be allowed to go home afterward.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Radiofrequency Ablation with MEE

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

RFA will be performed in the usual fashion utilizing the MEE instead of the RFA needles routinely used at each institution.

Conventional Medical Management (CMM) Treatment Only

Your current standard of care treatment may already consist of some CMM therapies. Standard of care includes a variety of intervention types such as medication, physical therapy, home exercise programs, back brace, walking aid, and chiropractic care.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional Medical Management

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Conventional medical management (CMM), which may include physical therapy, home exercise programs, pain medication, and other conservative therapies such as back brace, walking aid, and chiropractic care.

Interventions

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Radiofrequency Ablation with MEE

RFA will be performed in the usual fashion utilizing the MEE instead of the RFA needles routinely used at each institution.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Conventional Medical Management

Conventional medical management (CMM), which may include physical therapy, home exercise programs, pain medication, and other conservative therapies such as back brace, walking aid, and chiropractic care.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age \> 18 years old.
* Patients with pain lasting at least 6 months.
* Patients with history of non-radiating low back pain.
* Patient who had two diagnostic medial branch blocks (MBB) with significant (\>50%) improvement on both injections.
* Patient has signed study-specific informed consent.
* Patient has the necessary mental capacity to participate and is physically able to comply with study protocol requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

* Patient with low back pain with radiation or involvement of pain going into their legs below their knees.
* Patient did not receive satisfactory relief from diagnostic MBB (\<50% relief).
* Patient is unable to receive radiation exposure.
* Patient is currently pregnant.
* Patient has a current local overlying low back or systemic infection.
* Patient currently receiving or seeking workers compensation, disability remuneration, and/or involved in injury litigation.
* Known or suspected drug or alcohol abuse.
* Diagnosed psychiatric disease (e.g., schizophrenia, major depression, personality disorders) that could interfere with study participation.
* Patient is participating in an investigational study or has been involved in an investigational study within 3 months prior to evaluation for participation.
* Patient has an implanted intrathecal pump or spinal neuromodulation device.
* Patient currently on daily oral morphine equivalent (OME) of 50.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Kansas Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dawood Sayed, MD

Study Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Dawood Sayed, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Kansas Medical Center

Locations

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University of Kansas Medical Center

Kansas City, Kansas, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Angie Ballew, DC, MS

Role: CONTACT

Phone: (913) 945-7420

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Principal Investigator

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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STUDY00146448

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id