A prospective outcome study on the effects of facet joint radiofrequency denervation on pain, analgesic intake, disability, satisfaction, cost, and employment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of radiofrequency denervation (RFD) on patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) of facet joint origin. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Interventional pain management program. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive subjects (N=44; 101 facet joints) over 2 years with chronic refractory mechanical LBP of facet origin established by 2 local anesthetic blocks (medial branch +/- intra-articular) resulting in more than 50% pain relief. INTERVENTION: RFD of the symptomatic lumbar facet joints. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported pain intensity, frequency, bothersomeness, analgesic intake, satisfaction, disability, back pain-related costs, and employment twice prior to and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-RFD. RESULTS: Post-RFD, significant improvements in pain, analgesic requirement, satisfaction, disability, and direct costs occurred. They peaked at 3 to 6 months and gradually diminished thereafter. Satisfaction with medical care and living with current symptoms improved similarly. Overall, satisfaction with the RFD procedure was high, and no complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: RFD provides safe and significant short-term improvement in pain, analgesic requirements, function, satisfaction, and direct costs in patients with chronic LBP of facet origin.