Fig. 3.

Flowchart demonstrating progression through radiofrequency (RF) ablation study phase. A positive outcome is defined as 2-point or more decrease in average back pain score coupled with a satisfaction score of 3 out of 5 or higher. (1) In individuals receiving intraarticular (Group I) and medial branch (group II) blocks, eligible patients were those obtaining a positive diagnostic block and not obtaining ongoing relief at 6 months from the block. In saline injection patients (group III), all patients not obtaining relief at 6-month follow-up during the facet phase met criteria for proceeding to radiofrequency ablation regardless of the results of their diagnostic block. (2) Individuals who declined radiofrequency ablation or withdrew from the study before radiofrequency ablation were considered dropouts.