Efficacy of facet block in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome

  • Álvaro Ospina Anesthesiologist, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • Daniel Campuzano Anesthesiologist, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • Elizabeth Hincapié General Practitioner, Clínica CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • Luisa F. Vásquez General Practitioner, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • Esperanza Montoya General Practitioner, IPS San Cristóbal, Colombia
  • Isabel C. Zapata General Practitioner, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • Manuela Gómez General Practitioner, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
  • José Bareno Epidemiologist, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia
Keywords: Facet block, Facet arthrosis, Failed back, Chronic back pain, Pain management

Abstract

Facet block is a procedure used in patients with facet arthrosis in which several other medical techniques have failed. In our country, there is no evidence or studies regarding its efficacy, thus the interest in its demonstration. A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out on patients intervened between January 2005 and December 2009 at Clínica CES. Data was collected from the patient's clinical records by means of a survey designed for that purpose. Also, positive clinical outcomes were correlated to age, gender, occupation, evolution time, motor and sensitive symptoms as well as comorbidities. The sample included 232 patients between the ages of 21 and 92, with an average age of 56.9 (± 14.6) years, and a lumbar pain evolution time of 2 years in 40% of the individuals in the sample. The most commonly used imaging test before the procedure was magnetic resonance imaging in 42.2% of patients, computed tomography scan was used in 38.31% and X-rays in 7.46%. The procedure was effective in 78% of patients. In sum, facet block is a therapeutic method, given that most patients improved after its completion. These findings are consistent with other studies that have showed a decrease in physical and functional limitations of the patients. Besides, improvement of the patient's state confirms a lumbar facet syndrome, so it is a diagnostic procedure as well.

References

1. Acevedo J, Jiménez E, Rodríguez J, Hakim F, Pena G, Rodríguez A. Enfermedad facetariía lumbar. Rev Col de Or y Tra. 2004;18:34-41.

2. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Back. En: Essential Clinical Anatomy. Filadelfia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2002. p. 275.

3. Datta S. Systematic assessment of diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic utility of lumbar facet joint intervention. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2009 [consultado 2 Ago 2011]; 12 [24 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.capitolspineandpain.com/medlibrary/Lumbar-Facet-Joint_Interventions.pdf

4. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Falco FJ, Cash KA, Pampati V. Effectiveness of thoracic medial branch blocks in managing chronic pain: a preliminary report of a randomized double-blind controlled trial; Clinical Trial NCT00355706. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2008 [consultado 23 Mar 2011]; 11 [14 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2008/august/2008;11;491-504.pdf

5. Boswell MV, Colson JD, Sehgal N, Dunbar EE, Epter R. A systematic review of therapeutic facet joint interventions in chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2007 [consultado 23 Mar 2010]; 10 [26 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2007/january/2007;10;229-253.pdf

6. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Falco FJ, Cash KA, Pampati V. Lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic facet joint pain: one-year follow-up of a randomized, double-blind controlled trial: Clinical Trial NCT00355914. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2008 [consultado 28 May 2010]; 11 [12 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2008/march/2008;11;121-132.pdf

7. Pimenta L, Bellera A, Parra M, Díaz R. Clasificación radiográfica de la degeneración facetaria lumbar: evaluación intra e interobservador. Acta Ortop Mex [serial online]. 2005 [consultado 2 Jun 2010]; 19 [5 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/ortope/or-2005/or053a.pdf

8. Manchikanti L, Cash KA, Pampati V, Fellows B. Influence of psychological variables on the diagnosis of facet joint involvement in chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2008 [consultado 23 Ago 2010]; 11 [16 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2008/march/2008;11;145-160.pdf

9. Manchikanti L, Manchikanti KN, Cash KA, Singh V, Giordano J. Age-related prevalence of facet-joint involvement in chronic neck and low back pain. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2008 [consultado 30 Ago 2009]; 11 [9 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/2008/january/2008;11;67-75.pdf

10. Manchikanti L, Boswell MV, Singh V, Pampati V, Damron KS, Beyer CD. Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord [serial online]. 2004 [consultado 19 Sep 2009]; 28 [1 pantalla]. Disponible en: www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/5/15

11. Manchikanti L. Evaluation of lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in managing chronic low back pain: a randomized,double-blind, controlled trial with a 2-year follow-up. Int J Med Sci [serial online]. 2010 [consultado 2 Sep 2009]; 7[1 pantalla]. Disponible en: www.medsci.org/v07p0124.htm

12. Gorbach C, Schmid MR, Elfering A, Hodler J, Boos N. Therapeutic efficacy of facet joint blocks. AJR Am J Roentgenol [serial online]. 2006 [consultado 15 Feb 2010]; 186 [1 pantalla]. Disponible en: http://www.ajronline.org/content/186/5/1228.long

13. Manchikanti L. Making sense of the accuracy of diagnostic lumbar facet joint nerve blocks: an assessment of the implications of 50% relief, 80% relief, single block, or controlled diagnostic blocks. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2010 [consultado 13 Feb 2010]; 13 [12 pantallas]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/~painphys/2010/march/2010;13;133-143.pdf

14. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Derby R, Schultz DM, Benyamin RM, Prager JP, et al. Reassessment of evidence synthesis of occupational medicine practice guidelines for interventional pain management. Pain Physician [serial online]. 2008 [consultado 23 Mar 2010]; 11 [1 pantalla]. Disponible en: http://www.painphysicianjournal.com/linkout_vw.php?issn=1533-3159&vol=11&page=393

15. Gibson JN, Waddell G. Surgical interventions for lumbar disc prolapse: updated Cochrane Review. Spine [serial online]. 2007 [consultado 30 Jul 2010]; 32. Disponible en: http://step.nl/files/Surgical_interventions_for_lumbar_disc_prolaps,_updated_Cochrane_review.pdf
How to Cite
1.
Ospina Álvaro, Campuzano D, Hincapié E, Vásquez LF, Montoya E, Zapata IC, et al. Efficacy of facet block in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2012 Jul. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];40(3):177-82. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/395

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Published
2012-07-01
How to Cite
1.
Ospina Álvaro, Campuzano D, Hincapié E, Vásquez LF, Montoya E, Zapata IC, et al. Efficacy of facet block in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome. Colomb. J. Anesthesiol. [Internet]. 2012 Jul. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];40(3):177-82. Available from: https://www.revcolanest.com.co/index.php/rca/article/view/395
Section
Original

Altmetric

Article metrics
Abstract views
Galley vies
PDF Views
HTML views
Other views
QR Code