The effect of radiofrequency neurotomy on chronic low back pain.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: To determine the success rate and duration of relief of radiofrequency neurotomy for lumbar facet joint pain.

OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is a lack of effective treatment for chronic low back pain. Radiofrequency denervation appears to be an emerging technology, with substantial variations in use.

METHODS: Fifty-eight patients underwent radiofrequent neurotomy on the posterior primary ramus for chronic low back pain. All patients with low back pain of more than 3 months duration, with or without non-radicular radiation to the buttock and hip, were included in the study. From October 2005 to December 2006, eligible patients underwent a standardized diagnostic work-up, which included the use of a visual analog scale (VAS), physical examination, review of imaging studies, and diagnostic blockades. Pain relief was assessed on the third day, and at 3 months and 6 months post-treatment, using the visual analog scale.

RESULTS: There were 44 women and 14 men included in the study. The mean age was 57.7 years (range, 20~80 years). Radiofrequency neurotomy denervated three segments and a bilateral lesion in all patients. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores on the third day (mean VAS score: 1.48) and 3 months (mean VAS score: 1.79) after treatment decreased significantly when compared with the pre-treatment scores (mean VAS score: 6.56). However, the final values of the VAS scores after 6 months were slightly increased as compared to the VAS scores measured at the beginning of the study (mean VAS score: 2.91). No cases of infection, new motor deficits, or new sensory deficits were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that radiofrequency neurotomy offers an effective palliative management of lumbar facet pain. However, there is limited evidence that radiofrequency neurotomy offers short-term relief for chronic low back pain. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed with larger patient numbers and more data on the long-term effects, for which current evidence is inconclusive.