Table 1 Comparison of continuous vs. pulse RF

First used

Shealy 1975

Sluijter and others 1998

Application

Continuous RF energy for 90 s

RF energy in pulses of 20 ms with wash-out period of 480 ms

Needle tip

Parallel and by the side of target

Perpendicular, pointing at the target

Tissue temperature achieved

Up to 80°C

Up to 42°C

Proposed mechanism of action

Non-selective thermal destruction

Neurobiological - by strong electrical fields

Side effects

Deafferentation syndrome

No side effects observed so far

Duration of effect

Potentially long lasting (months)

? Relatively short duration

Use on peripheral nerves

Cannot be used -contraindicated

Has been effectively used in peripheral mono-neuropathies