CompletedNot Applicable

Radiofrequency Versus Cervical Fusion for Chronic Whiplash

Spain170 participantsStarted 2005-01

Plain-language summary

Chronic neck pain after whiplash injury is a common and disabling condition that can significantly affect quality of life, daily activities, and psychological well-being. In some patients, pain persists for months or years despite conservative treatments, leading to consideration of more invasive therapeutic options. Two commonly used treatments in selected patients are cervical zygapophyseal (facet) joint radiofrequency and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), but their comparative long-term outcomes in routine clinical practice are not well defined. This study aims to compare the clinical, functional, and psychological outcomes of patients with chronic post-traumatic cervical whiplash who were treated either with cervical medial branch radiofrequency or with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The study uses a retrospective observational design based on the review of medical records from a tertiary hospital over a 20-year period. Adult patients diagnosed with chronic post-traumatic whiplash and treated between 2005 and 2025 are included. All treatments were performed as part of usual clinical care and were not assigned for research purposes. Data collected include patient characteristics, injury mechanism, type of treatment received, pain intensity, functional disability, psychological symptoms, need for repeat procedures or additional surgery, and clinical follow-up information. The primary objective is to compare pain relief between the two treatment groups. Secondary objectives include comparison of functional recovery, duration of treatment benefit, recurrence of pain, psychological symptoms, need for further interventions, and return to daily activities or work. By analyzing long-term real-world data, this study seeks to improve understanding of the relative effectiveness of cervical radiofrequency and surgical fusion for chronic whiplash pain, helping clinicians and patients make more informed treatment decisions. No new interventions are performed as part of this study, and all data are analyzed anonymously.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria * Adults aged 18 years or older at the time of treatment. * Clinical diagnosis of chronic post-traumatic cervical whiplash, with symptoms persisting for at least 3 months following the traumatic event. * Cervical pain attributed to a traumatic acceleration-deceleration mechanism (whiplash injury). * Treatment with either: * cervical medial branch radiofrequency, or * anterior cervical discectomy and fusion performed as part of routine clinical care. Exclusion Criteria * Cervical pain primarily attributable to non-traumatic conditions, including degenerative cervical disease, inflammatory disorders, neoplastic disease, infection, radiculopathy, or cervical myelopathy. * History of previous cervical spine surgery before the index treatment, which could interfere with the assessment of treatment outcomes. * Patients who received both cervical radiofrequency and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for the same clinical episode of whiplash-related pain. * Cervical procedures performed outside the Hospital General Universitario de Valencia or without verifiable technical documentation in the medical record. Insufficient clinical documentation to confirm the diagnosis of post-traumatic whiplash or to evaluate pain, functional, or psychological outcomes after treatment. * Absence of clinical follow-up data after the index treatment. * Age under 18 years at the time of treatment. Availability of clinical follow-up data after treatment that allows assessment…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pain Relief After Treatment

Timeframe: From baseline (pre-treatment) to last documented clinical follow-up, assessed up to 12 months after treatment.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07535515

SponsorUniversity of Valencia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Whiplash Injury trials