Lomber Faset Eklem Sendromu Olan Hastalara Uygulanan Medyal Dal Denervasyonunda Konvansiyonel Radyofrekans Ablasyon Yöntemi ile Kombine (Konvansiyonel + Pulsed ) Radyofrekans Ablasyon Yöntemi Etkinliğinin Retrospektif Olarak Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Facet joint syndrome is a widespread issue, estimated to be responsible for 15-40% of all chronic lower back pains. Medial brach denervation with Radiofrequency (RF) is an effective and safe method in treating facet joint syndrome, and is standartly performed with conventional RF method. On the other hand, approved in technical literature during 2010s, combined RF method is an up-to-date method, and is being used in our clinic for the last 2 years to patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome. In this study, we aimed to compare the standart method with the newly applied combined RF method. The files of patients with a lumbar facet joint syndrome diagnosis who received medial branch denervation between January 1st 2022 and April 1st 2022 were analyzed. Thirty-seven from each group, a total of 74 patients were included in the study. The patients were assessed through demographic data with NRS and DN4 scores; marked at 3 occasions, pre-operatively, 6 and 12 months after the procedure. No statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding demographic data, which were; age, duration of lower back pain, body mass index, gender, history of lumbar surgery and additional comorbidities. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, differences in the two scoring systems between pre-operative and follow-up findings (6. and 12th month following procedure) were compared. DN4 score comparison, revealed a statistically significant drop for both groups of patients; although no significant difference was noted between the two groups. NRS score evaluation on the other hand, still held no difference between groups at the 6th month evaluation, but for the 12th month comparison; concluded that the drop in NRS score for the combined RF group was statistically significantly higher (p: 0,048). As a result; usage of combined RF to achieve medial branch denervation is effective and safe, it can enhance the success rate of the procedure in the long run. Following studies on combined RF method with longer follow-up periods and higher patient counts will help improve the literature.