Simplicity Radiofrequency Ablation Demonstrates Greater Functional Improvement Than Analgesia: A Prospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Pain originating from the posterior sacroiliac complex is notoriously difficult to effectively treat due to its complex anatomy and variable innervation. Data on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is limited. The Abbott Simplicity probe creates 3 monopolar lesions along the medial aspect of the sacroiliac joint and 2 bipolar lesions between the active portions of the probe. This device has been studied previously with improvement of pain-associated disability and pain reduction, but insufficient data is present to determine its utility at this time. Using the most recent literature for the potential innervation of the posterior sacroiliac joint, it is reasonable to explore this novel device and its ability to treat sacroiliac joint pain. OBJECTIVES: Identify the percentage of improved posterior sacroiliac complex pain and improved function in patients who completed posterior sacroiliac complex radiofrequency ablation using the Simplicity probe. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: A single outpatient pain clinic. METHODS: This prospective case-series occurred at an outpatient pain clinic. Data were analyzed after completion of follow-up appointments. Inclusion criteria included 2 successful lateral branch blocks. Fourteen patients with posterior sacroiliac complex pain were examined and completed sacroiliac ablation with the Simplicity probe. The numeric rating scale and the Modified Oswestry Disability Index were used as outcome measures for pain and function, respectively. The primary outcome measures were improvement in the numeric rating scale score by a reduction of 2.5 points and an improvement in Modified Oswestry Disability Index by 15% based upon previous studies demonstrating these values as the minimal clinical important difference . Patients were followed at a 3 to 6 month interval and 12 month interval (an average of 88 and 352 days, respectively). RESULTS: In total, 14 patients were examined. At the first follow-up, 29% of patients had analgesia and 38% functionally improved. At the second follow-up, 15% of patients had analgesia and 31% functionally improved. LIMITATIONS: Considering data were collected retrospectively, this study relied on completed charts. Therefore, data points of interest were limited to what was previously documented, which included multiple answers or the absence of numerical data points. In addition, patients were disproportionately female (71.4%). Data were also affected by patients lost to follow-up. Also, this study examined a relatively small number of patients, therefore the results should be carefully considered. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation of the posterior sacroiliac complex with the Simplicity probe resulted in more functional improvement than analgesia. This study provides more data for clinicians to utilize in managing posterior sacroiliac complex pain. IRB: Protocol number 20170342HU. Not registered in clinical trials.

Innervation of the Posterior Hip Capsule: A Cadaveric Study.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies of hip anatomy have turned to the posterior hip capsule to better understand the anatomic location of the posterior capsular sensory branches and identify nerves with potential for neural blockade. Current literature has shown the posterior hip capsule is primarily supplied by branches from the sciatic nerve, nerve to quadratus femoris, and superior gluteal nerve (1, 2). This cadaveric study investigated the gross anatomy of the posterior hip, while also identifying potential targets for hip analgesia, with emphasis on the superior gluteal nerve and nerve to quadratus femoris. DESIGN: Cadaveric study. SETTING: UT Health San Antonio Anatomy Lab. METHODS: In total, 10 total cadavers (18 hips total), were posteriorly dissected identifying nerve to quadratus femoris, superior gluteal nerve, and sciatic nerve. Nerves were labeled with radio-opaque markers. Following the dissections, fluoroscopic images were obtained at sequential angles to identify neural anatomy and help expand anatomic knowledge for interventional pain procedures. RESULTS: The posterior hip capsule was supplied by the sciatic nerve in 1/16 hips, the nerve to quadratus femoris in 15/18 hips, and the superior gluteal nerve in 6/18 hips. CONCLUSIONS: The nerve to quadratus femoris reliably innervates the posterior hip joint. Both the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal nerve have small articular branches that may be involved in posterior hip innervation, but this is not seen commonly. The results of this study may elucidate novel therapeutic targets for treatment of chronic refractory hip pain (i.e., the nerve to quadratus femoris).

Quantitative analysis of the distal, lateral, and posterior articular branches of the axillary nerve to the shoulder: implications for intervention.

INTRODUCTION: The terminal sensory branches innervating the shoulder joint are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of shoulder pain. This cadaveric study investigated in detail the anatomic pathway of the posterior terminal sensory branch of the axillary nerve (AN) and its relationship to nearby anatomic structures for applications, such as nerve block or ablation of the shoulder joint. METHODS: For this study, nine shoulders were dissected. Following dissection, methylene blue was used to stain the pathway of the terminal sensory branches of the AN to provide a visual relationship to the nearby bony structures. A transparent grid was overlaid on the humeral head to provide further detailed information regarding the innervation to the shoulder joint. RESULTS: Eight of the nine shoulders displayed terminal sensory branches of the AN. The terminal sensory branches of the AN innervated the posterolateral head of the humerus and shoulder capsule and were deep and distal to the motor branches innervating the deltoid muscle and teres minor muscle. All terminal branches dissected innervated the shoulder capsule at the posteroinferior-lateral aspect of the greater tuberosity of the humerus. All specimens displayed innervation to the shoulder joint in the lateral most 25% and inferior most 37.5% before methylene blue staining. CONCLUSION: The terminal sensory branches of the AN consistently innervate the inferior and lateral aspects of the posterior humeral head and shoulder capsule. These nerves are easily accessible and would provide a practical target for nerve block or ablation to relieve shoulder pain without compromising motor integrity.

Effect of Wheelchair Stroke Pattern on Upper Extremity Muscle Fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder dysfunction is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) with an incidence of up to 63%. Dysfunction is a result of muscle imbalances, specifically denervated rotator cuff muscles that are repetitively used during manual wheelchair propulsion. OBJECTIVE: To determine which arm stroke technique, pump (P) or semicircular (SC), is most energy efficient for long periods of propulsion. DESIGN: A randomized study with repeated measures observations. SETTING: The study was performed at an institutional gait analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 18 able-bodied (AB) male participants were studied and randomized into one of 2 conditions, SC or P. METHODS: Shoulder muscle fatigue was measured by changes in Borg CR10 Rate of Perceived Exertion (Borg RPE) and upper extremity strength via a handheld dynamometer. Participants were studied and assigned into one of 2 conditions of wheelchair arm propulsion patterns, SC or P group, and propelled on a wheelchair treadmill for 10 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes included recordings of Borg RPE scale during continuous wheelchair propulsion and pre- and post-test dynamometer testing means for bilateral elbow and shoulder extension. Analysis of covariance, t-tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in analyzing data. RESULTS: Although not significant (P = .23), the Borg RPE scores for the SC condition were consistently higher than the scores for the P condition. In addition, the dynamometer pre- and post-test readings demonstrated a larger decrease for the SC condition participants than for the P condition participants, but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the SC wheelchair propulsion pattern appears to be more fatiguing to shoulder muscles than the P propulsion pattern. However, more data would need to be collected to find a significant difference. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Cadaveric Study of the Articular Branches of the Shoulder Joint.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This cadaveric study investigated the anatomic relationships of the articular branches of the suprascapular (SN), axillary (AN), and lateral pectoral nerves (LPN), which are potential targets for shoulder analgesia. METHODS: Sixteen embalmed cadavers and 1 unembalmed cadaver, including 33 shoulders total, were dissected. Following dissections, fluoroscopic images were taken to propose an anatomical landmark to be used in shoulder articular branch blockade. RESULTS: Thirty-three shoulders from 17 total cadavers were studied. In a series of 16 shoulders, 16 (100%) of 16 had an intact SN branch innervating the posterior head of the humerus and shoulder capsule. Suprascapular sensory branches coursed laterally from the spinoglenoid notch then toward the glenohumeral joint capsule posteriorly. Axillary nerve articular branches innervated the posterolateral head of the humerus and shoulder capsule in the same 16 (100%) of 16 shoulders. The AN gave branches ascending circumferentially from the quadrangular space to the posterolateral humerus, deep to the deltoid, and inserting at the inferior portion of the posterior joint capsule. In 4 previously dissected and 17 distinct shoulders, intact LPNs could be identified in 14 (67%) of 21 specimens. Of these, 12 (86%) of 14 had articular branches innervating the anterior shoulder joint, and 14 (100%) of 14 LPN articular branches were adjacent to acromial branches of the thoracoacromial blood vessels over the superior aspect of the coracoid process. CONCLUSIONS: Articular branches from the SN, AN, and LPN were identified. Articular branches of the SN and AN insert into the capsule overlying the glenohumeral joint posteriorly. Articular branches of the LPN exist and innervate a portion of the anterior shoulder joint.

Advanced Hip Osteoarthritis Causing Autonomic Dysreflexia and Severe Spasticity in a Patient With Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report.

The life expectancy of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is increasing due to advances in medicine and technology. As a result, there is a higher incidence of age-associated illnesses in this population. Degenerative joint disease is a common age-associated illness that causes pain and thus, in persons with SCI above the T6 level, can serve as a noxious stimulus to trigger autonomic dysreflexia (AD). This is a case report of severe bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA) causing unyielding AD in a person with tetraplegia leading to bilateral girdle stone surgeries. Hip OA as an etiology for AD has not previously been reported and is important to recognize as this population continues to age and to develop age-associated diseases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.