OBJECTIVES Radiofrequency facet joint denervation procedures have been common practice for 2 decades in treatment of chronic low back pain. We designed this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham treatment controlled trial to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency facet joint denervation, as it is routinely performed. METHODS Inclusion criteria were low back pain, duration more than 6 ...

A retrospective cohort study. Plated cervical laminoplasty is an increasingly common technique. A unique facet joint disturbance induced by lateral mass miniscrews penetrating articular surface was noticed. Facet joints are important to maintain cervical spine stability and kinetic balance. Whether this facet joint disturbance could affect clinical and radiologic results is still unknown. The o...

BACKGROUND The role of injections of therapeutic substances into the back as treatment for low back pain is unclear. Facet joint injections are widely used despite the absence of evidence of sustained benefit. We hypothesise that facet joint injections might facilitate engagement with physiotherapist-led, best usual care (a combined physical and psychological programme) and is a clinically and ...

Introduction Knowledge about facet morphology has already been discussed extensively in literature but is limited regarding asymmetry and its relation to facet degeneration. Method Facet dimensions, surface area, curvature, and degeneration of the superior facets were measured in 85 dried human vertebrae from the anatomical collection of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The vertebrae were anal...

The first sacral nerve root block (S1 nerve root block) is a practical procedure for patients with radiating lower back pain. In general, S1 nerve root block is performed under x-ray fluoroscopy. It is necessary to adjust the position of the patient and angle of fluoroscopy to properly visualize the first dorsal sacral foramen (dorsal S1 foramen). The purpose of this study was to analyze the lo...

BACKGROUND Since the publication of guidelines by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the American Pain Society guidelines for low back pain in 2009 there have been deep divisions in the pain treatment community about the use of therapeutic intraarticular facet joint injections. While evidence for the effectiveness or not of intraarticular facet joint injections ...

Introduction Lumbar fusion has proven to be an accepted treatment for a variety of indications. Pedicle screw fixation has historically been the gold standard for providing stabilization to the lumbar motion segment while the fusion matures. However, numerous studies have reported high complication rates, increased pain, and juxtalevel degeneration due to the size of the pedicle screw instrumen...