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Belozerskikh K.A.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Portnyagin I.V.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Goryacheva K.V.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Khovrin D.V.

S.S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital of Moscow Healthcare Department

Effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation of lumbar facet joints: a retrospective study

Authors:

Belozerskikh K.A., Portnyagin I.V., Goryacheva K.V., Khovrin D.V.

More about the authors

Journal: Russian Journal of Pain. 2025;23(2): 38‑44

DOI: 10.17116/pain20252302138

Read: 859 times

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Table of contents

EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIOFREQUENCY DENERVATION OF LUMBAR FACET JOINTS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIOFREQUENCY DENERVATION OF LUMBAR FACET JOINTS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

To cite this article:

Belozerskikh KA, Portnyagin IV, Goryacheva KV, Khovrin DV. Effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation of lumbar facet joints: a retrospective study. Russian Journal of Pain. 2025;23(2):38‑44. (In Russ.)
https://doi.org/10.17116/pain20252302138

Подписка 2025 Российский журнал боли (Russian Journal of Pain)
МСФ на ЯМ
Использование инфографики авторами научных работ
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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the efficacy of radiofrequency denervation (RFD) of lumbar facet joints (FJ) in long-term period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the results of RFD of medial dorsal branches for pain syndrome following FJ dysfunction between April 2022 and May 2023. The study involved 43 people (10 (23.26%) men and 33 (76.74%) women) aged 32—86 years (median 60.0 [47.75; 69.25]). Mean duration of pain syndrome was 36 [23.00; 66.00] months. The effectiveness of RFD was determined by changes in pain intensity and maladaptation degree 6—15 months after manipulation compared to baseline data. Pain syndrome and maladaptation degree were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index.

RESULTS

The VAS score of pain intensity decreased by ≥50% in 29 (67.44%) patients after RFD. Before manipulation, VAS score was 8.0 [7.00; 10.00], after RFD — 3.0 [1.75; 5.25] (p<0.05). The ODI score decreased from 42.22 [28.67; 57.78] to 5.37 [0.00; 22.29] points (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

RFD of lumbar facet joints significantly decreases VAS and ODI scores of pain syndrome and maladaptation, respectively. This procedure significantly decreases pain in patients with chronic pain syndrome following dysfunction of lumbar facet joints.

Keywords:

radiofrequency denervation
facet joints

Authors:

Belozerskikh K.A.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Portnyagin I.V.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Goryacheva K.V.

Yudin Moscow City Clinical Hospital

Khovrin D.V.

S.S. Yudin City Clinical Hospital of Moscow Healthcare Department

Received:

30.01.2025

Accepted:

28.02.2025

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References:

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