Endoscopic Facet Joint Denervation on the Lumbar Spine: A Retrospective Analysis

Franziska Wallscheid; Maximilian Manthey; Jerome Olsen; Stavros Oikonomidis; Carolin Meyer; Peer Eysel; Lars Löhrer; Jan Bredow

doi:10.31616/asj.2021.0150

Asian Spine Journal (Apr 2023)

Endoscopic Facet Joint Denervation on the Lumbar Spine: A Retrospective Analysis

Franziska Wallscheid,
Maximilian Manthey,
Jerome Olsen,
Stavros Oikonomidis,
Carolin Meyer,
Peer Eysel,
Lars Löhrer,
Jan Bredow

Affiliations

Franziska Wallscheid: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Krankenhaus Porz am Rhein gGmbH, Cologne, Germany
Maximilian Manthey: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, DIAKOVERE Friederikenstift, Hannover, Germany
Jerome Olsen: Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, Bonn, Germany
Stavros Oikonomidis: Department of Orthopeadic and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Carolin Meyer: Department of Spinal Surgery, Helios Bonn/Rhein Sieg, Bonn, Germany
Peer Eysel: Department of Orthopeadic and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Lars Löhrer: Department of Spinal Surgery, Schön Klinik Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
Jan Bredow: Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Krankenhaus Porz am Rhein gGmbH, Cologne, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31616/asj.2021.0150
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 2
pp. 382 – 391

Abstract

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Study Design This single-center retrospective study analyzed patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who underwent endoscopic facet joint denervation (EFJD) between April 2018 and May 2019. Purpose This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of EFJD in treating CLBP. Overview of Literature CLBP is a challenging burden to healthcare systems worldwide. As up to 45% of cases originate from the lumbar facet joints, sufficient therapy strategies must be developed. EFJD offers a precise depiction of the dorsal medial ramus and the facet joint capsule. Methods In this study, 64 patients who underwent EFJD were included. The main outcome of interest was patients’ Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, which was recorded at 3-time points (i.e., before operation and 6 weeks and 12 months after surgery). Results EFJD effectively reduced the VAS pain scores by 58% in the short term (6 weeks) and 38% in the long term (12 months). Patients with isolated facet joint osteoarthritis benefited more (p<0.001). Conclusions EFJD is a good treatment alternative for CLBP originating from the facet joints, particularly in patients with isolated facet joint osteoarthritis. Moreover, this method can address not only the dorsal medial ramus but also the surrounding tissue (e.g., facet joint capsule, facet joint effusion, and osteophytes) as the origin of CLBP.

Published in Asian Spine Journal

ISSN: 1976-1902 (Print); 1976-7846 (Online)
Publisher: Korean Spine Society
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://asianspinejournal.org/

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