Korean J Anesthesiol Search

CLOSE


Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2005;48(2):159-162.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.48.2.159   
Radiofrequency Facet Denervation for Low Back Pain: a Preliminary Report.
Kyung Joon Lim, Hyun Young Lee
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. kjlim@chosun.ac.kr
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A number of patients complain of lower back pain due to facet joint problems, and radiofrequency (RF) thermocoagulation of medial branches is known to be an effective method of relieving pain caused by facet joint problems. However, objective outcome assessments of this modality are limited. Therefore, the authors investigated short term results after thermocoagulation of the lumbar medial branches.
METHODS
The authors studied 25 patients diagnosed as having facet joint syndrome and who underwent RF thermocoagulation. Pain relief was estimated at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure using a visual analog scale (VAS). A result was regarded as successful if pain reduction exceeded 50% on the VAS at 6 weeks.
RESULTS
Seven of the 25 patients did not respond favorably to RF application (pain reduction less than 50%). Of the 18 patients who showed a successful response, 17 had a favorable result up to 3 months after the procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that lumbar medial branch rhizotomy using radiofrequency thermocoagulation, is an effective treatment modality for patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome. This study shows that its effect is maintained for at least 3 months after the procedure in most patients.
Key Words: facet joint syndrome; radiofrequency thermocoagulation


ABOUT
ARTICLE CATEGORY

Browse all articles >

BROWSE ARTICLES
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Editorial Office
101-3503, Lotte Castle President, 109 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04146, Korea
(서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 109 롯데캐슬 프레지던트 101동 3503호)
Tel: +82-2-792-5128    Fax: +82-2-792-4089    E-mail: journal@anesthesia.or.kr                
Business Name: Korean Society of Anesthesiologists (대한마취통증의학회)
Business Registration: 106-82-07194
Representative: Jun Heum Yon (연준흠)

Copyright © 2024 by Korean Society of Anesthesiologists.

Developed in M2PI

Close layer
prev next