Abstract

TOLEDO, Lourimar Octaviano de; MACEDO, Sebastião Maurício  and  FAVARO, Tarciso. Effectiveness of radiofrequency facet rhizotomy in the treatment of mechanical back pain. Coluna/Columna [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.4, pp. 273-274. ISSN 1808-1851.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1808-18512011000400003.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency lumbar facet rhizotomy in the treatment of mechanical low back pain. METHODS: Prospective study of 23 patients treated with radiofrequency rhizotomy in mechanical low back pain. The pain intensity was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the number of analgesics administered for each patient preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: We observed a significant decline in pain intensity (p<0.0001) in patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the series of patients assessed the treatment was effective in relieving symptoms of mechanical low back pain and the use of analgesics after the procedure was lower.

Keywords : Rhizotomy; Low back pain; Zygapophyseal joint; Treatment outcome.