Lumbar Facet Joint Pain Research Articles

The emerging role of fluoroscopy-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in lumbar facet joint pain management.

The emerging role of fluoroscopy-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in lumbar facet joint pain management.

Comparing ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection and medial branch block for lumbar facet joint pain: a clinical study.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided intra-articular (IA) injections with medial branch nerve blocks in treating lumbar facet joint pain. This retrospective study enrolled 94 patients clinically diagnosed with lumbar facet joint pain. Diagnostic blocks confirmed the diagnosis in 82 patients, evidenced by a pain visual analog score (VAS) reduction of at least 50% immediately following the injection. Of these, 42 were treated with ultrasound-guided IA injections (group 1), and 40 received ultrasound-guided medial branch blocks (group 2). Effective pain relief was defined as a VAS reduction of at least 50%. Group 1 showed significantly higher pain relief rates compared with group 2 at both 1-month (54.76% versus 2.5%, P < 0.001) and 3-month (26.19% versus 5%, P = 0.014) follow-ups. Within group 1, patients aged 21-50 years experienced higher relief rates (81.25% at 1-month and 56.25% at 3-month follow-ups) compared with those over 50 (38.46% at 1-month and 7.69% at 3-month follow-ups), which was statistically significant (P = 0.007 at 1-month and P = 0.001 at 3-month follow-ups). Furthermore, in group 1, patients with sedentary jobs reported significantly greater pain relief (90.91% at 1-month and 81.82% at 3-month follow-ups) compared with those with non-sedentary jobs (41.94% at 1-month and 6.45% at 3-month follow-ups) (P = 0.005 at 1-month and P < 0.001 at 3-month follow-ups). Ultrasound-guided IA injection provides better pain relief compared with medial branch nerve blocks. This method serves as a viable alternative for patients, especially younger and middle-aged patients with lumbar facet pain due to sedentary lifestyles. This study compared and analyzed the therapeutic effects of two different ultrasound intervention blockade methods on patients with lumbar facet joint pain, demonstrating that IA injection has a better pain relief effect and can be used as a pain relief method for patients who refuse radiofrequency therapy.

Analysis of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Rhizotomy in Pain Treatment

Considering the growing burden of chronic pain and the urgent need for effective, minimally invasive treatments, rhizotomy has gained prominence as a viable therapeutic option. However, the variability in techniques, such as endoscopic, radiofrequency, and chemical rhizotomy, and the differing outcomes across patient populations underscore the necessity for a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy. This study aims to systematically review the therapeutic effectiveness of various rhizotomy techniques in managing chronic pain, focusing on their application in conditions like lumbar facet joint pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and cancer-related pain. To achieve this, a narrative literature review was conducted, employing a structured methodology based on established guidelines from experts in the field. The review covered studies published between 2000 and 2023, sourced from reputable academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using specific descriptors like "rhizotomy," "pain management," "endoscopic rhizotomy," and "radiofrequency." The inclusion criteria were stringent, focusing on studies that reported quantitative or qualitative outcomes related to pain relief, complications, and the impact on patients' quality of life following rhizotomy. The results of this review indicate that rhizotomy, particularly the endoscopic and radiofrequency variants, consistently provides significant pain relief and functional improvement across various conditions. The long-term benefits of selective dorsal rhizotomy, especially in reducing pain and improving function in patients with spastic cerebral palsy, were notably highlighted. However, the review also points out that the efficacy of rhizotomy can vary depending on the specific technique employed, the underlying condition being treated, and individual patient characteristics. This comprehensive analysis allows us to conclude that rhizotomy is indeed a valuable option in the realm of pain management, offering substantial benefits in terms of both pain relief and enhanced quality of life. Nevertheless, it also emphasizes the need for further research to optimize these techniques and better understand the factors that influence patient outcomes, ultimately paving the way for more personalized and effective pain management strategies.

Traditional versus cooled-radiofrequency neurotomy for the treatment of chronic lumbar facet (zygapophyseal) joint pain.

Aim: Traditional radiofrequency ablation (TRFA) effectively treats facet joint-related pain, while water-cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) may offer benefits like larger lesions and easier nerve access. Our goal is to assess the effectiveness of TRFA and CRFA for facet joint-related pain.Materials & methods: This retrospective study included an evaluation of 346 RFA interventions performed on 190 patients suffering from long-term low-back pain. The primary outcome was defined as a decrease of ≥50% of the mean numeric rating scale.Results: The primary outcome was achieved at the first follow-up (FU) for both TRFA and CRFA, with pain relief of 55.2and 60.5%, respectively. At the second FU, the primary outcome was achieved only in the CRFA group (54.1%), although the TRFA group also showed a good improvement (48.6%). In both groups, pain relief was under 50% during the third FU.Conclusion: Our study indicates that both CRFA and TRFA modalities are effective and safe treatments.

Comment on “Radiofrequency Denervation on Lumbar Facet Joint Pain in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Trial”

Comment on “Radiofrequency Denervation on Lumbar Facet Joint Pain in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Trial”

Multifidus atrophy and/or dysfunction following lumbar radiofrequency ablation: A systematic review.

Lumbar medial branch nerve radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) is an interventional procedure used to treat chronic lumbar facet joint pain. Because the medial branch nerves also innervate the multifidus muscle, it has been proposed that LRFA may pose a risk of multifidus atrophy and/or dysfunction. However, the quality and level of evidence to answer this clinical question have not been established. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically appraise the literature to discern whether the prevailing evidence substantiates the hypothesis in question. A systematic review compliant with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed to evaluate the quality and level of evidence of studies reporting functional and/or structural changes in the multifidus muscle following LRFA. Only five cohort studies met inclusion criteria. Two studies assessed changes in multifidus function following LRFA with confirmed denervation at electromyography and significant reduction in multifidus shear modulus with ultrasound shear wave elastography. Of the four studies that evaluated changes in multifidus structure with magnetic resonance imaging following LRFA, two demonstrated a decrease in cross-sectional area or an increase in fat infiltration, one demonstrated no change, and one revealed an apparent increase. Given the destructive nature attributed to LRFA, some degree of multifidus atrophy and/or dysfunction may be plausible, albeit with a very low certainty that relies on a restricted body of literature of modest quality and with a presence of high bias. There is a paucity of studies discussing the potential association between LRFA and multifidus atrophy and/or dysfunction. In light of the shortage of high-quality studies and the absence of standardized protocols to assess both changes in the structure and function of the multifidus subsequent to LRFA, there is a pressing need for more prospective studies with a high methodological rigor to comprehensively address and answer this enduring debate in clinical practice.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Different Radiofrequency Techniques for the Treatment of Lumbar Facet Joint Pain: Combined with Anatomy.

Lumbar facet pain is generally considered to be one of the major causes of chronic low back pain. Each lumbar facet joint is innervated by the medial branch of the posterior spinal nerve from its own level and above. Radiofrequency (RF) of the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve is an effective method for the treatment of lumbar facet pain. RF technology is diverse, including traditional radiofrequency (TRF), pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), cooled radiofrequency (CRF), low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation (CA), and other treatment methods. The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficacy of different radiofrequency techniques and to analyze the reasons for this in the context of anatomy. There have been studies confirming the differences in efficacy of different RF techniques. However, most of the studies only compared two RF techniques, not four techniques, TRF, CRF, PRF, and CA, and did not analyze the reasons for the differences in efficacy. This article reviews the differences in the efficacy of the above four RF techniques, clarifies that the differences are mainly due to the inability to precisely localize the medial branch of the posterior branch of the spinal nerve, analyzes the reasons for the inability to precisely localize the posterior branch of the spinal nerve in conjunction with anatomy, and proposes that the development of RF technology for lumbar facet pain requires more in-depth anatomical, imaging, and clinical studies.

Efficacy of radiofrequency in lumbar facet joint pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials.

Lumbar facet joint pain (LFJP) is one of the main causes of chronic low back pain (LBP) and can be treated using radiofrequency (RF) sensory denervation. The aim of this work is to analyze the efficacy of RF in LFJP through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with placebo control. A systematic search was conducted in the Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science databases, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). The variables of interest were pain, functional status, quality of life (QoL), and global perceived effect (GPE) measured at different time intervals: short (< 3months), medium (> 3 and < 12months), and long term (> 12months). Eight RCTs with placebo control were included. RF showed significant benefits over placebo in pain relief in the short (MD - 1.01; 95% CI - 1.98 to -0.04; p = 0.04), medium (MD - 1.42; 95% CI - 2.41 to - 0.43; p = 0.005), and long term (MD - 1.12; 95% CI - 1.57 to - 0.68; p < 0.001), as well as improvement in functional disability in the short (SMD - 0.94; 95% CI - 1.73 to - 0.14; p = 0.02) and long term (SMD - 0.74; 95% CI - 1.09 to - 0.39; p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in QoL or quantitative GPE, but benefits for RF were observed in dichotomous GPE in the medium (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07-0.52; p = 0.001) and long term (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.06-0.78; p = 0.02). Subgroup analyses showed more benefits for RF in LBP < 1year in the short term and in RCTs that did not require performing an MRI for patient selection. RF demonstrated significant improvement in pain and functionality, but the benefits in terms of QoL and GPE are inconclusive. Future clinical trials should investigate the long-term effects of RF, its impact on quality of life, and define appropriate criteria for patient selection.

Mitigating Factors in L4 and L5 Medial Branch Motor Stimulation During Radiofrequency Ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure for facet joint pain. The targets for the procedure are the medial branches of the dorsal spinal nerves which innervate the facet joints. Before RFA, patients undergo diagnostic meal branch blocks to ensure appropriate pain relief and confirm the utility of proceeding to RFA. The success of RFA relies heavily on procedural technique and accurate placement near the medial branch. Motor testing is utilized in the lumbar region to assess the response of the multifidus and ensure proper placement of the RFA probe to prevent inadvertent damage to surrounding spinal anatomy. However, relying on motor responses in this area presents challenges given the frequency of lack of muscle twitching. Factors contributing to limited muscle twitch responses include muscle atrophy, excessive lordosis, facet arthropathy, local anesthetic use before ablation, and previous surgical neurotomy. These complexities highlight the challenges in ensuring precise motor stimulation during RFA. Despite these obstacles, accurate anatomical placement remains crucial. For RFA cases that prove challenging, relying on anatomical placement can be adequate to proceed with the procedure. Bridging knowledge gaps is vital for standardized practices and safer procedures. Further research is necessary to refine techniques, understand patient-specific factors, and enhance the efficacy of RFA in managing chronic lumbar facet joint pain.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in patients with chronic lumbar facet joint pain: A prospective case-controlled study.

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and compare with the conventional physical therapy in chronic low back pain (LBP). This prospective case-controlled study included patients with chronic LBP. Their clinical and demographic data were obtained, and they were divided into two groups for conventional physical therapy and ESP blocks. Prior to treatment, on the first day, the second week, and the third month, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were evaluated. The study included 43 patients, 21 in the ESP block group and 22 in the conventional physical therapy group. The VAS in movement was higher in the ESP block group at baseline (p = 0.047). On the first day after the treatments, the ESP block group showed lower resting (p < 0.001) and movement (p = 0.001) VAS values than the conventional physical therapy group. At the end of 3 months, both groups had improved VAS and ODI scores (all p < 0.001). US-guided ESP block might be considered a successful, safe, and technically simple alternative treatment in patients with chronic LBP to control pain and reduce the cost of physical therapy and lost workdays.

Applications of Cryoneurolysis in Chronic Pain Management: a Review of the Current Literature.

The purpose of this review is to evaluate and summarize the literature investigating cryoneurolysis in the treatment of various chronic pain pathologies. There is an increasing amount of interest in the use of cryoneurolysis in chronic pain, and various studies have investigated its use in lumbar facet joint pain, SI joint pain, post-thoracotomy syndrome, temporomandibular joint pain, chronic knee pain, phantom limb pain, neuropathic pain, and abdominal pain. Numerous retrospective studies and a more limited number of prospective, sham-controlled prospective studies suggest the efficacy of cryoneurolysis in managing these chronic pain pathologies with a low complication rate. However, more blinded, controlled, prospective studies comparing cryoneurolysis to other techniques are needed to clarify its relative risks and advantages.

Lumbar Facet Joint Radiofrequency Ablation With a 3-Tined Cannula: A Technical Report and Observational Study.

Background: Lumbar facet joints are the source of pain in 15%-41% of individuals experiencing low back pain (LBP). Conventional lumbar facet radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has Level II evidence for improving pain and function. The best proven technique, the parallel technique, is technically challenging, time-consuming, and often uncomfortable for the patient. A novel RFA technique using a 3-tined cannula offers a potentially less complex and shorter procedure. Objectives: To describe the novel lumbar facet joint RFA technique with the 3-tined cannula and to evaluate its efficacy in treating chronic lumbar facet joint pain. Methods: Eligible adult patients with chronic lumbar facet joint pain, confirmed by positive medial branch blocks (MBBs), refractory to conservative treatment, received the novel RFA treatment with the 3-tined cannula. The change in pain intensity at 2 months follow-up compared to baseline, percentage of patients reporting a ≥ 30% and ≥ 50% reduction of pain intensity, patient global impression of change (PGIC), need for pain medication, walking ability, sleep quality, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. Results: A total of 44 patients were included. Patients experienced a clinically meaningful and significant pain relief at follow-up and 41% of the patients reported ≥ 50% reduction of pain. Forty-eight percent experienced at least a score of "much improved" on the PGIC. No severe side effects or complications were observed. Conclusions: Our observational study suggests that lumbar facet joint RFA using the novel technique achieves significant pain relief. The larger lesions decrease the likelihood of missing the target nerve while obviating the need to conduct numerous lesions. Limiting is the single-center set-up with a relatively short-term follow-up duration. Randomized controlled clinical trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy of the novel RFA technique to treat lumbar facet joint pain.

Safety of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicle injection for lumbar facet joint pain.

Aim: A 3-month pilot study to evaluate the safety of injecting a bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicle advanced investigational product (IP) into the lumbar facet joint space as a treatment for chronic low back pain. Methods: 20healthy adults were treated with IP injections (0.5ml/joint) and evaluated by three functional assessments 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90days later. Results: No adverse effects or complications occurred across the 3-month follow-up. There were no reports of worsening pain. After 3 months group average scores improved significantly (p<0.0001) in the Severity Index (65.04%), Interference Index (72.09%) and Oswestry Disability Index (58.43%) assessments. Conclusion: IP injections were safe and associated with significant functional improvements.

Facet joint disorders: from diagnosis to treatment.

One of the most common sources of spinal pain syndromes is the facet joints. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar facet joint pain syndromes comprise 55%, 42%, and 31% of chronic spinal pain syndromes, respectively. Common facet joint disorders are degenerative disorders, such as osteoarthritis, hypertrophied superior articular process, and facet joint cysts; septic arthritis; systemic and metabolic disorders, such as ankylosing spondylitis or gout; and traumatic dislocations. The facet pain syndrome from osteoarthritis is suspected from a patient's history (referred pain pattern) and physical examination (tenderness). Other facet joint disorders may cause radicular pain if mass effect from a facet joint cyst, hypertrophied superior articular process, or tumors compress the dorsal root ganglion. However, a high degree of morphological change does not always provoke pain. The superiority of innervating nerve block or direct joint injection for diagnosis and treatment is still a controversy. Treatment includes facet joint injection in facet joint osteoarthritis or whiplash injury provoking referred pain or decompression in mass effect in cases of hypertrophied superior articular process or facet joint cyst eliciting radicular pain. In addition, septic arthritis is treated using a proper antibiotic, based on infected tissue or blood culture. This review describes the diagnosis and treatment of common facet joint disorders.

Comparative Evaluation of Intraarticular Facet Joint Injection Versus Medial Branch Block in Patients With Low Back Pain: A Randomised Controlled Study.

Lumbar facet joint pain may refer to the back, buttocks, and proximal parts of the lower extremities. Intraarticular facet joint injections, facet joint nerve blocks, or facet joint neurolytic procedures are popular for the management of facet joint pain. In this prospective, randomised study, 60 patients with a medical evaluation and pain pattern consistent with lumbar facet joint pain were randomly allocated to two groups. Group Ⅰ (n=30) patients were administered fluoroscope-guided lumbar facet joint injection, and group Ⅱ (n=30) patients were administered fluoroscope-guided lumbar facet joint nerve block. The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of both in managing facet joint pain in terms of pain and disability improvement. Secondary objectives were to compare the requirement for repeat injections and parameters related to the block, such as ease of administering the block, and to note the side effects pertaining to either of the blocks. There was a statistically significant improvement in pain score after injection in both groups (p>0.05). The mean pain score in both groups remained less than two at all time intervals throughout the study period (p>0.05) Excellent patient satisfaction was reported by the majority of the patients at different time intervals in both groups. Both lumbar facet joint injection and lumbar facet joint nerve block are safe and effective techniques for managing lower back pain patients. Both techniques provide adequate pain relief and disability improvement.

3. Pain originating from the lumbar facet joints.

Pain originating from the lumbar facets can be defined as pain that arises from the innervated structures comprising the joint: the subchondral bone, synovium, synovial folds, and joint capsule. Reported prevalence rates range from 4.8% to over 50% among patients with mechanical low back pain, with diagnosis heavily dependent on the criteria employed. In well-designed studies, the prevalence is generally between 10% and 20%, increasing with age. The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar facet joint pain was retrieved and summarized. There are no pathognomic signs or symptoms of pain originating from the lumbar facet joints. The most common reported symptom is uni- or bilateral (in more advanced cases) axial low back pain, which often radiates into the upper legs in a non-dermatomal distribution. Most patients report an aching type of pain exacerbated by activity, sometimes with morning stiffness. The diagnostic value of abnormal radiologic findings is poor owing to the low specificity. SPECT can accurately identify joint inflammation and has a predictive value for diagnostic lumbar facet injections. After "red flags" are ruled out, conservatives should be considered. In those unresponsive to conservative therapy with symptoms and physical examination suggesting lumbar facet joint pain, a diagnostic/prognostic medial branch block can be performed which remains the most reliable way to select patients for radiofrequency ablation. Well-selected individuals with chronic low back originating from the facet joints may benefit from lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation.

A comparison of pulsed radiofrequency and radiofrequency denervation for lumbar facet joint pain

BackgroundLumbar facet joint pain is a common disorder. The main symptom is chronic lumbar pain, which can reduce quality of life. Radiofrequency has often been used to treat lumbar facet joint pain. However, the effectiveness of this technique has been controversial. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) and radiofrequency denervation (RD) for lumbar facet joint pain.MethodsOne hundred and forty-two patients with lumbar facet joint pain were allocated to two treatment groups: PRF group (N = 72) and RD group (N = 70). Patients enrolled in the study were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland-Morris questionnaire (RMQ), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire before therapy, 3 months and 12 months later.ResultsThere were no significant differences in VAS, RMQ score, ODI score and SF-36 score at 3 months (p > 0.05). Significant differences in pain control were observed in both groups at 12 months (3.09 ± 1.72 vs. 2.37 ± 1.22, p = 0.006). There was a significant difference in RMQ score (11.58 ± 3.58 vs. 8.17 ± 2.34, p < 0.001) and ODI score (43.65 ± 11.01 vs. 35.42 ± 11.32, p < 0.001) at 12 months. The total SF-36 score was higher in the RD group than in the PRF group at 12 months (58.45 ± 6.97 vs. 69.36 ± 6.43, p < 0.001). In terms of complications, skin numbness occurred in three patients. Mild pain such as burning and pinking at the puncture site in two patients. One patient experienced a decrease in back muscle strength and back muscle fatigue. These complications disappeared in 3 weeks without any treatment. There were no serious adverse events in the PRF group.ConclusionRadiofrequency is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with lumbar facet joint pain. RD could provide good and lasting pain relief, with significant improvement in lumbar function and quality of life at long-term follow-up.

Two-Arm Observational Study to Assess the Efficacy of Cooled versus Conventional Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves in Patients with Lumbar Facet Joint Arthropathy

Background: Pain originating in the facet joint accounts for an estimated 15%–45% of cases of low back pain. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerves (MBN) is used in refractory cases. However, very few studies have compared the clinical outcomes of cooled versus conventional/traditional RFA (T-RFA) for the treatment of lumbar facet joint pain. Objective: To determine the clinical outcomes of MBN cooled RFA (C-RFA) compared with T-RFA, as measured by improvements in pain and physical function. Methodology: Forty patients with positive diagnostic MBN blocks were allocated to C-RFA or T-RFA group. Reduction in pain (NRS “Numerical Rating Scale” score), improvement in quality of life (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), proportion of responders/successful treatment (≥50% NRS reduction, and or ≥30% or ≥15 point reduction in ODI at 6 months follow up) in the two groups were recorded. Results: Total 34 patients were analysed, C-RFA (n = 18) and T-RFA (n = 16). There was significant reduction in pain scores as well as improvement in quality of life in both the groups, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. NRS reduction of ≥50% was observed in 72.22% and 68.5% of participants in the C-RFA and T-RFA groups, respectively (P = 0.824). A ≥15-point or ≥30% reduction in ODI score was observed in 77.77% and 75% of participants in the C-RFA and T-RFA groups, respectively (P = 0.849). Conclusions: Both the groups showed significant improvement in pain scores and quality of life. C-RFA resulted in greater treatment success rate than conventional RFA, but the difference was not significant.

Radiofrequency Ablation in Chronic Pain Syndromes

Chronic pain is a frequent, intricate, and adverse condition that has a considerable influence on individuals and society at large. In India, its prevalence is around 20%. Although a spectrum of conservative treatment modalities is available, a significant proportion of patients with chronic pain syndromes remain refractory and require surgical intervention. In these groups of patients, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) techniques are safe minimally invasive treatments and provide significant and durable pain relief. Thus, we aimed to formulate the Indian Society for the Study of Pain (ISSP) guidelines for the management of chronic pain syndromes with various RFA techniques. An in-depth literature review by experts in Pain Medicine practising in India, was used to produce 16 statements across 4 common chronic pain syndromes, including knee pain, headache and facial pain, lumbar facet joint pain, and sacroiliac joint pain. The quality of evidence was assessed with the Third US Preventive Service Task Force guidance document and the strength of the recommendation was determined by the Delphi consensus process. The level of evidence for most of the statements was I. Moreover, for most statements, the level of agreement between the experts was good (≥80% of the experts). The ISSP guidelines for the management of chronic pain syndromes are developed by experts in pain medicine. For most of the statements, the highest level of evidence was available and inter-expert agreement was good. However, further high-quality research is required to formulate more inclusive guidelines in this evolving pain medicine speciality.

Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Corticosteroid Injection in Management of Lumbar Facet Joint Pain: A Single-Center Study in Vietnam

We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal radiofrequency ablation combined with corticosteroid injection for medial branch block in the management of chronic low back pain, which originates from lumbar facet joint (LFJ) pain. A prospective observational study of 82 patients with chronic LFJ pain undergoing thermal radiofrequency ablation combined with corticosteroid injection was conducted. Primary outcomes included pain relief and functional recovery, measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. Secondary outcome was the time of recurrent low back pain at the same spinal segment after treatment. Adverse events were also recorded. Mean age is 55.7 ± 15.2 years old, and duration of LFJ pain was 18.2 ± 9.5 months. Median VAS at baseline was 7.0 (7.0-9.0) for all ages. After intervention, VAS and Oswestry Disability Index improved significantly (P < 0.001). Pain relief lasted for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 12-24 months' follow-up. During this period, only 5 patients required another radiofrequency neurotomy procedure (6.1%). No complications occurred in the study group. Thermal radiofrequency ablation combined with corticosteroid injection should be a potential method of choice for its effectiveness, long-lasting effect, and safety in the management of LFJ pain.