Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 26

October - December 2010

Number  4


 

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Evaluation of outcome of facet joints
injections in low back pain

Syed Dil Bagh Ali Shah1, Zahid Askar 2,
Israr Ahmad 3, Umme Habiba Gillani4

ABSTRACT

Objective: To find out outcome of short- and medium-term therapeutic efficacy of facet joint blocks.

Methodology: This descriptive interventional study was conducted in the Department of orthopaedic Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, over a period of nine months January, 2008 to September, 2008. All patients were more than 20 years and less than 70 years with low back pain who were not responding to oral medications and Physiotherapy were included in the study. The facet joint blocks were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The initial pain response was assessed prospectively using Mac nab and Prolo pain assessment criteria. Additional data, including short-term effect (> 1 week) and medium-term effect (at 3 months), were collected by a structured review interview. A note was made of the results of various imaging studies done in these patients. Just for exclusion & inclusion purposes and not for assessment of outcome which was exclusively based on clinical assessment.

Results: A positive effect was seen in 37 patients (74%) and 28 (56%) patients in immediate (with in one week) and short term (after 6 weeks) period respectively, while lesser effect was found in 16 patients (33%) at medium term (after 3 months).

Conclusion: Facet joint blocks appear to have a beneficial medium-term effect in one third of patients with chronic lower back pain and may therefore be a reasonable adjunct to non-operative treatment. However, outcome appears to depend on clinical, not the morphologic, imaging findings.

KEY WORDS: Fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, low back pain, spine.

Pak J Med Sci    October - December 2010    Vol. 26 No. 4    892-896

How to cite this article:

Shah SDBA, Askar Z, Ahmad I, Gillani UM. Evaluation of outcome of facet joints injections in low back pain. Pak J Med Sci 2010;26(4):892-896


1. Dr. Syed Dil Bagh Ali Shah,
MBBS, Trainee Medical Officer Orthopedics Part-II FCPS.
2. Dr. Zahid Askar,
Associate Professor.
3. Dr. Israr Ahmad,
Senior Registrar, Dept. of Orthopaedics and Trauma Hayatabad,
Medical Complex Peshawar.
4. Dr. Umme Habiba Gillani,
MBBS.
1-2: Dept. of Orthopedics & Trauma,
Khyber Teaching Hospital,
Peshawar, Pakistan.

Correspondence:

Dr. Syed Dil Bagh Ali Shah,
Postal Address:Village & Post Office Wadpagga,
Tehsil & District Peshawar, NWFP, Pakistan.
E-mail: drdilbagh@hotmail.com

* Received for Publication: January 20, 2010
* Revision Received: June 30, 2010
* Revision Accepted: July 2, 2010



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