The evaluation of radiofrequency facet nerve denervation in the patients with lumbar facet syndrome: experience with 493 patients

  • Caner MIMAROGLU Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
  • Beste MIMAROGLU ALTINAY Department of Medical Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, (Turkey
  • Cevdet DUGER Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
  • Ahmet Cemil ISBIR Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
  • Sinan GURSOY Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
  • Kenan KAYGUSUZ Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
  • Iclal Ozdemir KOL Department of Anesthesiology, Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine, Sivas, (Turkey)
Keywords: Facet syndrome, Low back pain, Pain measurement, Radiofrequency thermocoagulation, Visual analogue scale

Abstract

Objective: Radio frequency thermocoagulation (RFT) is a relatively new modality and has been recommended for treatment of back pain diagnosed as to be originating from spinal facet joints. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this novel procedure in our patients with lumbar facet syndrome in our department of algology.

Methodology: In this retrospective, observational study, the medical records of 493 lumbar facet syndrome patients treated using RFT in 2008-2013, were reviewed. All data were obtained from the pain evaluation cards in the patient files and recorded. Data of age, sex, visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and after the therapy and satisfaction scores after the therapy were recorded from medical records of the patients. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, daily activities (1= poor to 4 = very good) and satisfaction scores (1= poor to 4 = excellent) before the procedure and at the day 1, day 2, and then at one week, 2 weeks, one month, 6 months and 12 months following the procedure, were reviewed and recorded.

Results: Mean VAS score before the therapy was 8.03 ± 1.06, one month after the therapy it was significantly reduced and 6 months after the therapy it was found as 2.18 ± 0.76. The satisfaction scores were found significantly higher after therapy. Data of movement scores were found higher after the therapy than the scores before therapy. No complication was noted in any of the patient.

Published
01-19-2019
How to Cite
MIMAROGLU, C., ALTINAY, B. M., DUGER, C., ISBIR, A. C., GURSOY, S., KAYGUSUZ, K., & KOL, I. O. (2019). The evaluation of radiofrequency facet nerve denervation in the patients with lumbar facet syndrome: experience with 493 patients. Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care, 21(4), 438-441. Retrieved from https://mail.apicareonline.com/index.php/APIC/article/view/89
Section
Original Articles