Evaluation of the Effect of Radiofrequency Denervation on Quality of Life of Patients with Facet Joint Syndrome by Oswestry Disability Index Score and Visual Analogue Scale Score

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of radiofrequency denervation procedure on pain and quality of life of patients with facet joint syndrome. Forty-seven patients who were admitted to our hospital with low back pain and diagnosed with facet joint syndrome between January 2018 and December 2018 were included in our study. The patients underwent denervation with radiofrequency under fluoroscopy in a sterile operating room condition. The pre-procedure and 6th month follow-up VAS (visual analogue scale) and ODI (Oswestry disability index) scores of the patients were recorded. When the demographic data of the patients were analysed, the mean age of the patients was found to be 52. Of the patients, 61.7% were female. In the evaluation of VAS and ODI scores, which we used to measure the efficiency of the procedure, the 6th month values were found to be statistically lower than the pre-procedure values (p<0.05). The first treatment for facet joint syndrome is bed rest and medical treatment. Resistant cases also benefit from physical therapy and intra-articular steroid injection. In patients unresponsive to these treatments, denervation with radiofrequency appears to be an effective method. At least two levels must be performed for the procedure to be successful. Studies have shown that pain decreases in the long term (6-12 months) and quality of life increases. We also obtained similar results in our studies. In conclusion, we think that RF (radiofrequency) can be used as an effective method in cases where other treatments fail.