Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation as an Alternative of Vertebroplasty for Pain Treatment after Vertebral Compression Fractures

Vertebral fractures are very frequent among thepopulation affected by osteoporosis, being painone of the most distressing associated symptoms.The classic treatment of vertebral fractures is,in principle, conservative. However, in the caseof persistent pain, vertebral augmentation techniquesand radiofrequency ablation (in the eventthat vertebral augmentation techniques can’t beapplied) have proved to be useful.We present the case of a patient who developedsevere pain secondary to an acute T2 and L3 fracture,in addition to a posterior T6 fracture. It wastreated successfully with L3 vertebroplasty andfacet joints denervation of T1-T2 and later T5-T6,this being justified by the technical impossibility ofperforming vertebroplasty on said levels.The patient was discharged from the hospital withmanaged pain relief and more than a 50% reductionin opioids doses. Three months later, she continuedexperiencing pain relief.Radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch offacet joints can be useful in the treatment of painassociated with vertebral fractures in patientswhere vertebral augmentation techniques arecontraindicated or as a complementary treatmentfor persistent pain.Key words: Vertebral compression fracture, percutaneousvertebroplasty, radiofrequency ablation,medial branch, facet joints, osteoporosis