Cervical Paraspinal Muscle Twitching and Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Ablation Outcomes

"During the cervical RFA procedure, all patients will undergo sensory and motor stimulation testing prior to receiving radiofrequency lesioning, which is a standard and recommended practice.~During the motor stimulation testing step, the pain physicians performing the procedure will assess the presence or absence of cervical paraspinal muscle twitching by using a standardized grading scale (per radiofrequency electrode: 0 = no twitches observed or palpated; 1 = twitches palpated but not observed; 2 = twitches observed and palpated at 1-2 levels; 3 = twitches observed at \> 2 levels). A total score and a weighted score (total score divided by the number of radiofrequency lesion sites), will be recorded for each patient, and the RFA procedure will be completed per usual practice.~RFAs will be performed in the usual manner and as per standard of care. Providers will not use any new or experimental devices to perform the RFA."