Endoscopic facet joint denervation for treatment of chronic lower back pain

Percutaneous radiofrequency is an established method for treatment of chronic low back pain of intervertebral facet etiology. Endoscopic techniques have the advantage of visualization of the facet joint and the dorsal medial ramus and thus allow for more accurate denervation. It was thus hypothesized that pain reduction is vaster and longer enduring. A total of 98 consecutive patients that underwent endoscopic facet joint denervation (EFJD) were included in this study. Prior to intervention and for follow-up, patients were asked to complete VASpain, ODI, COMI and EQ5D questionnaires. VASpain was reduced significantly (EFJD: p < 0.001) at last follow-up. Values for ODI, COMI and EQ5D showed significant improvements towards subjective well-being at last follow-up. EFJD is a promising technique for the treatment of facet joint syndrome caused CLBP as it contributes to sustaining significant pain reduction and improvement of subjective quality of life parameters.