Do Stabilization Exercises Increase the Effects of Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Denervation?

Hatice Cetin,Altan Sahin,Sevil Bilgin,Ceyhun Turkmen,Nezire Kose,Esra Dulger

doi:10.5137/1019-5149.jtn.24946-18.2

Hatice Cetin, Altan Sahin + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.5137/1019-5149.jtn.24946-18.2

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Journal: Turkish neurosurgery	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Hacettepe University

Abstract

To investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on pain severity, functional disability, and physical performance after two weeks following radiofrequency denervation in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS). Thirty-nine patients diagnosed with LFJS and had radiofrequency denervation were assigned to study and control groups. The study group (n=20) received a six-week stabilization exercise program and was informed about spine biomechanics, while the control group (n=19) received only informations about spine biomechanics. Pain severity with visual analogue scale, perceived disability with Oswestry disability index, physical performance with physical performance tests and gait speed test were applied before and after radiofrequency denervation, and after six weeks of intervention program. Despite the similar improvements were shown in terms of all outcomes in both groups following radiofrequency denervation (p > 0.05), the improvements were more in favor of study group after six week intervention program (p < 0.05). These results indicate that radiofrequency denervation is effective in improving the pain, disability, and physical performance in patients with LFJS and this effect is further enhanced by the stabilization exercises following this procedure. Adding stabilization exercises to radiofrequency denervation yielded positive outcomes and these exercise are strongly advised in physiotherapy and rehabilitation program.

Highlights

Lumbar facet joint syndrome (FJS) has been described as a potential cause of low back pain and affects an estimated 4% to 8% of low back pain patients without neurological deficits or radiographic evidence of lumbar spine disease [13]
Despite the similar improvements were shown in terms of all outcomes in both groups following radiofrequency denervation (p>0.05), the improvements were more in favor of study group after six week intervention program (p
These results indicate that radiofrequency denervation is effective in improving the pain, disability, and physical performance in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS) and this effect is further enhanced by the stabilization exercises following this procedure

Summary

Introduction

Lumbar facet joint syndrome (FJS) has been described as a potential cause of low back pain and affects an estimated 4% to 8% of low back pain patients without neurological deficits or radiographic evidence of lumbar spine disease [13]. The levels of physical performance and functional disability of patients with lumbar FJS are affected because of the chronicity of the pain [17]. The treatment of lumbar FJS pain ideally consists of a multimodal approach comprising conservative therapy including physical therapy, medical management, procedural intervention, and, if indicated, surgical therapy [18]. Numerous placebo-controlled trials have examined lumbar facet pain and demonstrated that RFD gives positive results in lumbar pain in appropriately selected patients [6,19].

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