OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the lumbar facet block with local anesthetics and corticosteroids in patients with chronic low back pain of facet joint origin. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on 30 patients with chronic low back pain in facet syndrome who underwent facet infiltration with bupivacaine 0.25% and methylprednisolone acetate under radioscopic control; the subjects were followed and evaluated following the Visual Analogue Scale of Pain , Oswestry Disability Index and MacNab criteria; 17 of them were female and 13 male. RESULTS: Reduction of pain was found by Visual Analogue Scale significant (p <0.05). We obtained 73.3% of satisfactory results in the first week, 63.3% in the first month, 43.3% in third months, and 36.6% at the end of 6 months. The complication rate was very low. CONCLUSION: Facet blocka using local anesthetic and steroid was effective, safe and easy to perform. Neverthelees, there was recurrence of most cases within six months.
Low back pain; Zigapophyeal joints; Nérvea block
