Radiofrequency ablation and phenol neurolysis of the ganglion impar are methods used in cases unresponsive to medication, particularly in patients who derive short-term or partial relief from the initial ganglion impar block. In clinical practice, clinicians frequently use these two injections in patients with treatment-resistant pain who only partially benefit from the initial blockade procedure.
To date, the medical literature lacks a comprehensive study comparing the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation and phenol neurolysis in patients who partially benefit from ganglion impar block. Therefore, this study is designed to compare the effectiveness of these two methods in patients with chronic coccydynia.
Age between 18 and 65 years
Presence of chronic coccydynia lasting at least 3 months
Pre-procedural pain score of 4 or higher on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Patients who have undergone a ganglion impar block within the last 3 months and experienced limited benefit (i.e., less than 50% reduction in pain compared to pre-treatment) and/or short-term relief (less than 4 weeks)
History of surgery involving the sacrococcygeal region
Prior treatment with ganglion impar phenol neurolysis or radiofrequency ablation
Coagulopathies (bleeding disorders)
Infection