ABSTRACT
Radiofrequency thermolysis has traditionally been used to treat pain disorders of differing etiologies primarily in the low back and cervical areas. This paper describes the use and results of a different and simplified approach to surgical management of extracapsular disorders, namely, temporal tendinitis, Ernest Syndrome, and occipital myalgia-neuralgia where conservative attempts have failed. A brief discussion of the pain disorders are addressed along with the methods of differential diagnosis, conservative therapy, and traditional surgical treatment. Finally, surgical management using radiofrequency thermolysis is described with results of treatment in 30 patients showing a 96% success rate.
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Steven J. Wilk
Dr. Steven J. Wilk received his D.D.S. degree in 1981 from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He maintains a private practice in Denver, Colorado, limiting his practice to diagnosis and treatment of pain disorders of the head, neck and temporomandibular joints. He is a Liasonal Fellow of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Medicine and Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Head, Neck and Facial Pain and TMJ Orthopedics.