Abstract
The results of percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy of lumbar spinal facets in 46 patients followed at least three months (mean 15 months) are reported and compared with those reported previously. Satisfactory pain relief three months after the procedure was achieved in 36.4 percent of patients without operations and in 41.7 percent of patients with operations other than fusion.
No patient had previously undergone fusion.
Treatment of low-back pain by using radio-frequency thermocoagulation of spinal facets is a simple, safe, and well-tolerated procedure. It can be used to relief of pain in spite of decreasing rates of success within the follow-up period.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bogduk N, DM Long: The anatomy of the so-called “articular nerves” and their relationship to facet deviation in the treatment of low-back pain. J Neurosurg 51 (1979) 172–177
Burton CV: Percutaneous radiofrequency facet denervation. Appl Neurophysiol 39 (1976-77) 80–86
Fox JL, HV Rizzoli: Identification of radiologic coordinates for the posterior articular nerve of Luschka in the lumbar spine. Surg Neurol 1 (1973) 343–346
Ghormley RK: Low-back pain with special references to the articular facets, with presentation of an operative procedure. JAMA 101 (1933) 1773–1777
Ignelzi RJ, TW Cummings: A statistical analysis of percutaneous radiofrequency lesions in the treatment of chronic low-back pain and sciatica. Pain 8 (1980) 181–187
Jerosch J, WH Castro, H Halm, G Muller-Silvergieter: Long-term results following percutaneous facet coagulation. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb (Eng Abstr) 131 (1993) 241–247
King JS, R Lagger: Sciatica viewed as a referred pain syndrome. Surg Neurol 5 (1976) 46–50
Lora J, D Long: So-called facet denervation in the management of intractable back pain. Spine 1 (1976) 121–126
McCulloch JA, LW Organ: Percutaneous radiofrequency lumbar rhizolysis (rhizotomy). Can Med Assoc J 116 (1977) 28–30
Pedersen HE, CFJ Blunck, E Gardner: The anatomy of lumbosacral posterior rami and meningeal branches of spinal nerves (sinuvertebral nerves). With an experimental study of their functions. J Bone Joint Surg 38 (1956) 377–390
Rees WS: Multiple bilateral subcutaneous rhizolysis of segmental nerves in the treatment of the intervertebral disc syndrome. Ann Gen Pract 26 (1971) 126–127
Raymond J, JM Dumas: Intraarticular facet block: Diagnostic test or therapeutic procedure? Radiology 151 (1984) 333–336
Shealy CN: Percutaneous radiofrequency denervation of spinal facets: Treatment for chronic back pain and sciatica. J Neurosurg 43 (1975) 448–451
Sluijter ME: The use of radiofrequency lesions for pain relief in failed back patients. Int Disabil Stud 10 (1988) 37–43
Stolker RJ, AC Vervest, GJ Groen: Percutaneous facet denervation in chronic thoracic spinal pain. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 122 (1993) 82–90
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Göçer, A.İ., Çetinalp, E., Tuna, M. et al. Percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy of lumbar spinal facets: The results of 46 cases. Neurosurg. Rev. 20, 114–116 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01138194
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01138194