Open AccessA Modified Pain Therapy for Thoracic Compression Fracture in the Elderly: Cooled Radiofrequency Ablat ion at Thoracic Facet Joints
Author(s) -
Yeong-Ray Wen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
interventional pain management reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2575-9841
DOI - 10.36076/pmcr.2019/3/99
Subject(s) - medicine , facet (psychology) , thoracic vertebrae , vertebral compression fracture , surgery , facet joint , compression (physics) , radiofrequency ablation , thoracic spine , ablation , lumbar vertebrae , lumbar , percutaneous , materials science , psychology , social psychology , personality , composite material , big five personality traits
We reported an alternative therapy for 2 casesrespectively with acute and old thoracic compressionfracture and persistent back pain. A 94-yearoldwoman who had multiple comorbidities sufferedfrom severe pain that was caused by anacute thoracic spine compression fracture. Theother patient was an 89-year-old man with an oldthoracic compression fracture for 2 years. Neitherof them could have satisfactory pain relief by theconservative treatments. Surgical interventionwas also not considered. Cooled radiofrequencyablation was applied to both patients’ thoracicfacet joints. The 2 patients’ back pain improvedconsiderably after the ablation. Cooled radiofrequencyablation over thoracic facet joints couldbe a pain management alternative for relievingthoracic compression fracture-related pain.Key words: Compression fracture, thoracic vertebra,cooled radiofrequency denervation, facetjoint, comorbidity