Visualized Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of Sinuvertebral Nerve and Basivertebral Nerve for Chronic Discogenic Back Pain

Chronic discogenic back pain is a leading cause of disability in man. Degenerative disc disease and its associated pathological neurotization of the sinuvertebral and basivertebral nerve are some of the mechanisms that lead to lower back pain. The use of radiofrequency ablation to denervate pathological sensitized sinuvertebral and basivertebral nerve has been described to decrease pain in patients with degenerative disc disease. Radiofrequency energy system can be introduced into the region of sinuvertebral and basivertebral nerve via inside out and outside in technique through fluoroscopic and/or endoscopic guidance. This chapter discusses the methods of outside-in-endoscopic guided radiofrequency ablation of sinuvertebral and basivertebral nerves.