New trial aims to ease discogenic back pain with targeted nerve ablation
NCT ID NCT07360444
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two procedures—radiofrequency ablation of the rami communicans nerves and annuloplasty—for treating discogenic back pain that hasn't improved with standard care. Ninety adults with chronic low back pain will be randomly assigned to one of the procedures or a combination of both. The goal is to see which approach is safer and more effective at reducing pain and disability over six months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- radiofrequency ablation
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a minimally invasive option to reduce chronic discogenic back pain and improve daily function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial (90 people) comparing two procedures, so results may not apply broadly. Risks include pain, infection, or nerve damage from the procedure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients who were 18 years or older * Chronic LBP persisted for more than three months * Failed medical treatment * Axial LBP with or without leg radicular pain experienced pain exacerbation by sitting (intolerance to sitting), bending forward, coughing or sneezing, and partially relieved with lateral recumbent position, standing, or walking. * Patients with a Numeric Rating Scale of pain severity of five points or higher, specifically to the daily LBP, were included in the study. * The examination criteria for the study included tenderness on deep pressure of the spine process at the level of the degenerated disc and no neurological motor deficits. * The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria required images to show clear evidence of degenerative disc disease in one or two-disc levels that include a high intensity zone (HIZ) in the posterior annulus and dark disc with or without loss of height Exclusion Criteria: * Encompassed patients with clinical evidence of progressive motor neurological deficits, * MRI evidence of intervertebral disc herniation measuring 4 mm or more, sequestration, extrusion, disc space collapse, or spondylolisthesis at the symptomatic level. * Patients with moderate to-severe central spinal canal or foraminal stenosis, * Previous lumbar surgery at the same treatment level, * Spinal fractures, deformities * Infections or tumors * Patients with psychotic illnesses, uncontrolled diabetes, advanced hepatic conditions, current pregnancy, recent delivery (within three months of consent), intent to become pregnant during the study period, and local sepsis or skin inflammation in the back region.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.