Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess how facet medial branch radiofrequency thermocoagulation (FMB-RFT) outcomes are affected by severe facet joint osteoarthritis (FJO). METHODS: This retrospective study involved 91 individuals with lumbar facet joint disease-related chronic lower back pain (CLBP), all of whom underwent FMB-RFT. The patients were assigned to 3 groups using the Weishaupt facet grading system (WFGS). Pain scores were assessed prior to treatment, as well as at the 1-, 6-, and 12-month marks. RESULTS: Based on the WFGS, 38 of the 91 patients were assigned a grade 1 FJO, 28 a grade 2 FJO, and 25 a grade 3 FJO. The percentage of patients in each group who saw a 50% or greater improvement in their pain scores at 1, 6, and 12 months did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: For patients with CLBP, FMB-RFT has been shown to be safe and effective in both the short and long terms. The results from FMB-RFT do not seem to be affected by the severity of FJO.