J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2012 Dec;19(4):164-170. 10.4184/jkss.2012.19.4.164.

Usefulness of Ultrasound-guided Facet Joint Block in the Out Patient Clinics

• Lee SJ
• Shim DM
• Kim CS
• Oh SK
• Hwang JS

• KMID: 2209552
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2012.19.4.164

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Level III, retrospective studies.
OBJECTIVES
This study is conducted to evaluate the effect and usefulness of ultrasound guided facet block for the outpatients who complained of chronic lower back pain. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: Facet joint syndrome was introduced in 1976, by Mooney V. It was considered to be one of the major causes of low back pain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between October 2009 to March 2011, 98 cases were selected from the outpatients who complained of chronic lower back pain for more than 3 months. The patients had no surgery history and did not complain of neuromuscular symptoms, and they had more than three times outpatient care at least and could be followed up for 1 year. The patients were divided into three groups; first was the ultrasound guided facet block group (27 cases), second was the Fluoroscopy guided facet block group (39cases) and third was the conservative group (32 cases).The clinical results were analyzed using Kim's criteria and the Visual Analog Scale score, ODI score, Physician's global assessment (subjective), Patient's global assessment (Objective).
RESULTS
The VAS score was improved from an average of 7.75+/-1.5 to 4.47+/-2.4 in the ultrasound guided facet block group, and from 7.81+/-1.4 to 4.39+/-2.6 in the Fluoroscopy guided facet block group, and from 7.87+/-1.3 to 6.24+/-2.1 in the conservative group. The VAS score, Kim's criteria, ODI score, Physician's global assessment (subjective), and Patient's global assessment (Objective) showed statistically significant improvement in the ultrasound guided facet block group and Fluoroscopy guided facet block group.
CONCLUSION
In the outpatient clinics, comparing with the group that underwent conservative treatment with medication, the group treated with ultrasound for block could have better results in clinical improvement.

Keyword

Ultrasound; Facet joint block; Chronic low back pain

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Fluoroscopy
Humans
Low Back Pain
Outpatients
Retrospective Studies
Zygapophyseal Joint

Figure

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  Fig. 1. All the procedures were performed with the patient in the prone position. (A) location of the needle at superiolateral edge of the lateral facet. (B) Sonography show facet joint injection.

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