RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does the severity of facet joint osteoarthritis affect facet medial branch radiofrequency thermocoagulation results?
JF Neurosciences Journal
JO Neurosciences (Riyadh)
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 144
OP 149
DO 10.17712/nsj.2025.30.4.20240037
VO 30
IS 2
A1 Sancar, Kaya S.
A1 Şeref, Çelik
A1 Hamit, Göksu
A1 Yavuz, Akçaboy E.
A1 Şaziye, Şahin
YR 2025
UL http://nsj.org.sa/content/30/2/144.abstract
AB Objectives: To assess how facet medial branch radiofrequency thermocoagulation (FMB-RFT) outcomes are affected by severe facet joint osteoarthritis (FJO).Methods: This retrospective study involved 91 individuals with lumbar facet joint disease-related chronic lower back pain (CLBP), all of whom underwent FMB-RFT. The patients were assigned to 3 groups using the Weishaupt facet grading system (WFGS). Pain scores were assessed prior to treatment, as well as at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month marks.Results: Based on the WFGS, 38 of the 91 patients were assigned a grade 1 FJO, 28 a grade 2 FJO, and 25 a grade 3 FJO. The percentage of patients in each group who saw a 50% or greater improvement in their pain scores at 1, 6, and 12 months did not differ significantly.Conclusion: For patients with CLBP, FMB-RFT has been shown to be safe and effective in both the short and long terms. The results from FMB-RFT do not seem to be affected by the severity of FJO.