Radiofrequency treatment of peripheral nerves.

Treatment of chronic refractory pain in which peripheral nerves are involved has proven to be difficult. Neurolysis by surgical, chemical, cryogenic, or thermal means may be considered as an option on seldom occasions, because of the risk of neuritis and deafferentation pain, motor deficit, and potential unintentional damage to nontargeted tissue. To our knowledge, there is only 1 report concerning selective radiofrequency (RF) treatment of the obturator and femoral nerves that was published. The introduction of the non-neurodestructive pulsed radiofrequency technique has provided new possibilities for the treatment of peripheral nerves. Today there is some experience with the management of chronic shoulder pain and additional case reports on other indications.