title: An investigation on the effect of improved X-rays-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation on lumbar facet joint syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to observe the clinical efficacy and feasibility of improved X-rays-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation for treating low back pain secondary to lumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty LFJS patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the denervation group (n=40), treated with percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation on the lumbar facet joint, and the control group (n=40), injected with betamethasone and lidocaine into the lumbar facet joint. All patients underwent pain scoring using the visual analogous scale (VAS) before treatment, and again at 30 min, 1 d, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment. The Schober index was also evaluated at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after treatment. The efficacy and adverse effects were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The denervation group had significantly lower VAS scores at each time point than before treatment (P<0.01). The VAS scores in the control group at 30min, 1d, 1 week, and 1 month after treatment were also significantly lower, but they returned to the pre-treatment level at 6 months after treatment. The VAS scores in the denervation group were significantly lower than that in the control group at 1 month and at 6 months after treatment (P<0.05 and P<0.01), whereas the Schober index was significantly higher (P<0.01). Moreover, the excellent to good efficacy rate in the denervation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The patients in both treatments had no side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved X-rays-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation denervation is an effective, minimally invasive and convenient method for treating low back pain secondary to lumbar facet syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 #Jie Fang road Wu Chang, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 #Jie Fang road Wu Chang, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 #Jie Fang road Wu Chang, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wanglongwhu@163.com.
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 #Jie Fang road Wu Chang, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011897:Random Allocation; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013577:Syndrome; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*
keywords: Denervation; Lumbar facet joint syndrome; Radiofrequency thermocoagulation