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Factors determining the success of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar facet joint pain: a prospective study

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Abstract

Background and aims

Radiofrequency denervation (RF) of the lumbar facet joints has been shown to be effective in well-selected patients. However, long-term success varies between studies. We evaluated the influence of selected psychosocial and constitutional factors on the outcome of RF, expressed as the duration of pain relief.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 44 patients who received RF denervations at the University Hospital of Berne. Success was defined as at least 50% pain reduction 7–21 days, 6 months and 1 year after RF therapy. The Cox-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the following factors on the duration of success: age, sex, depression, work inability and previous surgery.

Results

Complete follow-up was available for 41 patients. The success rate 7–21 days after the denervation was 76%. It decreased to 32% at 6 months and to 22% at 1 year. The median success duration was 17 weeks (95% CI 10–26). The Cox-regression analysis showed a significant shorter duration of success for patients with depression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.97, 95% CI 1.32–6.65), previous surgery (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.10–5.21) and number of treated joints (HR 1.95 for each increase in the number of joints, 95% CI 1.14–3.33). In bivariate analyses, only depression was kept to be significant.

Conclusions

Depression seems to be related with a short duration of success. Based on these findings, a comprehensive study is warranted to evaluate whether psychosocial factors have to be considered when recruiting patients for radiofrequency denervation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland

    Konrad Streitberger, Tina Müller, Urs Eichenberger & Michele Curatolo

  2. Clinical Trial Unit Bern, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland

    Sven Trelle

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  1. Konrad Streitberger
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  2. Tina Müller
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  3. Urs Eichenberger
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  4. Sven Trelle
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  5. Michele Curatolo
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Correspondence to Konrad Streitberger.

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Streitberger, K., Müller, T., Eichenberger, U. et al. Factors determining the success of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar facet joint pain: a prospective study. Eur Spine J 20, 2160–2165 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1891-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-1891-6

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