Therapeutic facet joint interventions in chronic spinal pain: A systematic review of effectiveness and complications

Pain Physician

Volumn 8, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 101-114

  Boswell, Mark V ^a   Colson, James D ^b   Spillane, William F ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF CLEVELAND   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN   (United States)

^c WAKE FOREST BAPTIST HEALTH   (United States)

Author keywords

Facet or zygapophysial joints; Intraarticular facet joint injections; Low back pain; Medial branch blocks; Medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy; Neck pain; Spinal pain

Indexed keywords

BETAMETHASONE; BUPIVACAINE; LOCAL ANESTHETIC AGENT; METHYLPREDNISOLONE; METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE; STEROID;

ANALGESIA; CERVICAL SPINE; CHRONIC DISEASE; CLINICAL TRIAL; DRUG EFFICACY; EMBASE; EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE; FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT; HEMATOMA; HUMAN; INFECTION; INJECTION; LONG TERM CARE; LUMBAR SPINE; MEDLINE; META ANALYSIS; METHODOLOGY; OUTCOMES RESEARCH; PNEUMOTHORAX; PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT; RANDOMIZATION; REVIEW; SIDE EFFECT; SPINAL CORD INJURY; SPINAL PAIN; SPINE SURGERY; STATISTICAL ANALYSIS; SYSTEMATIC REVIEW; THORACIC SPINE; TREATMENT OUTCOME; WORK RESUMPTION;

EID: 14944363112     PISSN: 15333159     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Review

References (118)

1. Goldthwait JE. The lumbosacral articulation: An explanation of many cases of lumbago, sciatica, and paraplegia. Boston Med and Surg J 1911; 164:365-372.
2. Bogduk N. International Spinal Injection Society guidelines for the performance of spinal injection procedures. Part 1: Zygapophysial joint blocks. Clin J Pain; 1997 13:285-302.
3. Boswell M, Singh V, Staats P, Hirsch JA. Accuracy of precision diagnostic blocks in the diagnosis of chronic spinal pain of facet or zygapophyseal joint origin: A systematic review. Pain Physician 2003; 6:449-456.
4. Manchikanti L, Staats PS, Singh V, Schultz DM, Vilims BD, Jasper JF, Kloth DS, Trescot AM, Hansen HC, Falasca TD, Racz GB, Deer T, Burton AW, Helm S, Lou L, Bakhit CE, Dunbar EE, Atluri SL, Calodney AK, Hassenbusch S, Feler CA. Evidence-based practice guidelines for interventional techniques in the management of chronic spinal pain. Pain Physician 2003; 6:3-80.
5. Pang WW, Mok MS, Lin ML, Chang DP, Hwang MH. Application of spinal pain mapping in the diagnosis of low back pain - analysis of 104 cases. Acta Anaesthesiol Sin 1998; 36:71-74.
6. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Pampati V, Damron KS, Barnhill RC, Beyer CD, Cash KA. Evaluation of the relative contributions of various structures in chronic low back pain. Pain Physician 2001; 4:308-316.
7. Fukui S, Ohseto K, Shiotani M, Ohno K, Karasawa H, Naganuma Y, Yuda Y. Referred pain distribution of the cervical zygapophyseal joints and cervical dorsal rami. Pain 1996; 68:79-83.
8. Dwyer A, Aprill C, Bogduk N. Cervical zygapophyseal joint pain patterns. I: A study in normal volunteers. Spine 1990; 15:453-457.
9. Aprill C, Dwyer A, Bogduk N. The prevalence of cervical zygapophyseal joint pain patterns. II: A clinical evaluation. Spine 1990; 15:458-461.
10. Pawl RP. Headache, cervical spodylosis, and anterior cervical fusion. Surg Ann 1977; 9:391-498.
11. Windsor RE, Nagula D, Storm S. Electrical stimulation induced cervical medial branch referral patterns. Pain Physician.2003; 6:411-418.
12. Dreyfuss P, Tibiletti C, Dreyer SJ. Thoracic zygapophyseal joint pain patterns: A study in normal volunteers. Spine 1994; 19:807-811.
13. Mooney V, Robertson J. The facet syndrome. Clin Orthop 1976; 115:149-156.
14. McCall IW, Park WM, O'Brien JP. Induced pain referral from posterior elements in normal subjects. Spine 1979; 4:441-446.
15. Marks R. Distribution of pain provoked from lumbar facet joints and related structures during diagnostic spinal infiltration. Pain 1989; 39:37-40.
16. Fukui S, Ohseto K, Shiotani M, Ohno K, Karasawa H, Naganuma Y. Distribution of referral pain from the lumbar zygapophyseal joints and dorsal rami. Clin J Pain 1997; 13:303-307.
17. Hirsch C, Ingelmark BE, Miller M. The anatomical basis for low back pain. Acta Orthop Scand 1963; 33:1-17.
18. Windsor RE, King FJ, Roman SJ, Tata NS, Cone-Sullivan LA, Thampi S, Acebey M, Gilhool JJ, Rao R, Sugar R. Electrical stimulation induced lumbar medial branch referral patterns. Pain Physician 2002; 5: 347-353.
19. Bogduk N. The clinical anatomy of the cervical dorsal rami. Spine 1982; 7:319-330.
20. Jackson HC, Winkelmann RK, Bickel WH. Nerve endings in the human lumbar spinal column and related structures. J Bone Joint Surg AM 1966; 48A:1272-1281.
21. Cavanaugh JM, Ozaktay AC, Yamashita HT, King AI. Lumbar facet pain: Biomechanics, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology. J Biomech 1996; 29:1117-1129.
22. Bogduk N, Wilson AS, Tynan W. The human lumbar dorsal rami. J Anat 1982; 134: 383-397.
23. Suseki K, Takahashi Y, Takahashi K et al. Innervation of the lumbar facet joints. Spine 1997; 22:477-485.
24. Bogduk N. The innervation of the lumbar spine. Spine 1983; 8:286-293.
25. Chua WH, Bogduk N. The surgical anatomy of thoracic facet denervation. Acta Neurochir 1995; 136:140-144.
26. Stilwell DL. The nerve supply of the vertebral column and its associated structures in the monkey. Anat Rec 1956; 125:139-169.
27. Zhang J, Tsuzuki N, Hirabayashi S, Saiki K, Fujita K. Surgical anatomy of the nerves and muscles in the posterior cervical spine: a guide for avoiding inadvertent nerve injuries during the posterior approach. Spine 2003; 28:1379-1384.
28. Dreyfuss P, Schwarzer AC, Lau P, Bogduk N. Specificity of lumbar medial branch and L5 dorsal ramus blocks. Spine 1997; 22:895-902.
29. Kaplan M, Dreyfuss P, Halbrook B, Bogduk N. The ability of lumbar medial branch blocks to anesthetize the zygapophysial joint. Spine 1998; 23:1847-1852.
30. Barnsley L, Bogduk N. Medial branch blocks are specific for the diagnosis of cervical zygapophyseal joint pain. Reg Anesth 1993; 18:343-350.
31. Jackson RP, Jacobs RR, Montesano PX. Facet joint injection in low back pain. A prospective statistical study. Spine 1988; 13:966-971.
32. Jackson RP. The facet syndrome: Myth or reality? Clin Orthop 1992; 279:110-121.
33. Deyo RA. Fads in the treatment of low back pain. N Engl J Med 1991; 325:1039-1040.
34. Ferrari R. Letter to the editor. Spine 2002; 27:327-328.
35. Bogduk N, Holmes S. Controlled zygapophysial joint blocks: The travesty of cost-effectiveness. Pain Med 2000; 1:24-34.
36. Schwarzer AC, Wang S, O'Driscolt, Harrington T, Bogduk N, Laurent R. The ability of computed tomography to identify a painful zygapophysial joint in patients with chronic low back pain. Spine 1995; 20:907-912.
37. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Derby R, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. Clinical features of patients with pain stemming from the lumbar zygapophysial joints. Is the lumbar facet syndrome a clinical entity? Spine 1994; 19: 1132-1137.
38. Manchikanti L, Pampati V, Fellows B, Baha A. The inability of the clinical picture to characterize pain from facet joints. Pain Physician 2000; 3:158-166.
39. Schwarzer AC, Derby R, Aprill CN, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. The value of the provocation response in lumbar zygapophysial joint injections. Clin J Pain 1994; 10:309-313.
40. Barnsley L, Lord S, Bogduk N. Comparative local anesthetic blocks in the diagnosis of cervical zygapophysial joints pain. Pain 1993; 55:99-106.
41. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Bogduk N. The utility of comparative local anesthetic blocks versus placebo-controlled blocks for the diagnosis of cervical zygapophysial joint pain. Clin J Pain 1995; 11:208-213.
42. Revel ME, Listrat VM, Chevalier XJ, Dougados M, N'guyen MP, Vallee C, Wybier M, Gires F, Amor B. Facet joint block for low back pain: Identifying predictors of a good response. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1992; 73: 824-828.
43. Revel M, Poiraudeau S, Auleley GR, Payan C, Denke A, Nguyen M, Chevrot A, Fermanian J. Capacity of the clinical picture to characterize low back pain relieved by facet joint anesthesia. Proposed criteria to identify patients with painful facet joints. Spine 1998; 23:1972-1977.
44. Schwarzer AC, Derby R, Aprill CN, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. Pain from the lumbar zygapophysial joints: A test of two models. J Spinal Disord 1994; 7:331-336.
45. Laslett M, Oberg B, Aprill CN, McDonald B. Zygapophysial joint blocks in chronic low back pain; a test of Revel's model as a screening test. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004; 5:43.
46. Manchikanti L, Pampati VS, Fellows B, Pakanati RR. Prevalence of lumbar facet joint pain in chronic low back pain. Pain Physician 1999; 2:59-64.
47. Manchikanti L, Pampati VS, Fellows B, Bakhit CE. The diagnostic validity and therapeutic value of lumbar facet joint nerve blocks with or without adjuvant agents. Cur Rev Pain 2000; 4:337-344.
48. Bogduk N. Low back pain. In Clinical Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine and Sacrum, ed 3.Churchill Livingstone, New York, 1997; pp 187-214.
49. Bogduk N, Lord S. Cervical zygapophysial joint pain. Neurosurgery 1998; 8:107-117.
50. Aprill C, Bogduk N. The prevalence of cervical zygapophyseal joint pain. Spine 1992; 17:744-747.
51. Barnsley L, Lord S, Wallis B, Bogduk N. False-positive rates of cervical zygapophysial joint blocks. Clin J Pain 1993; 9:124-130.
52. Schwarzer AC, Aprill CN, Derby R, Fortin J, Kine G, Bogduk N. The false positive rate of uncontrolled diagnostic blocks of the lumbar zygapophysial joints. Pain 1994; 58:195-200.
53. Schwarzer AC, Wang SC, Bogduk N, McNaught PJ, Laurent PJ. Prevalence and clinical features of lumbar zygapophysial joint pain: A study in an Australian population with chronic low back pain. Ann Rheum Dis 1995; 54:100-106.
54. Manchikanti L, Boswell MV, Singh V, Pampati V, Damron KS, Beyer CD. Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2004; 5:15.
55. Barnsley L, Lord SM, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. The prevalence of chronic cervical zygapophyseal joint pain after whiplash. Spine 1995; 20:20-26.
56. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. Chronic cervical zygapophysial joint pain after whiplash: A placebo-controlled prevalence study. Spine 1996; 21:1737-1745.
57. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Rivera J, Pampati V. Prevalence of cervical facet joint pain in chronic neck pain. Pain Physician 2002; 5: 243-249.
58. Manchikanti L, Pampati V, Beyer CD, Damron KS. Evaluation of the prevalence of thoracic facet joint pain in chronic thoracic pain. Pain Physician2002; 5:354-359.
59. Merskey H, Bogduk N. Classification of chronic pain: Descriptions of chronic pain syndromes and definitions of pain terms. Second Edition. IASP Press, Seattle, 1994.
60. Geurts JW, van Wijk RM, Stolker RJ, Groen GJ. Efficacy of radiofrequency procedures for the treatment of spinal pain: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001; 26:394-400.
61. Niemisto L, Kalso E, Malmivaara A, Seitsalo S, Hurri H, Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group. Radiofrequency denervation for neck and back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane collaboration back review group. Spine 2003, 28:1877-1888.
62. Dreyfuss PH, Dreyer SJ. Lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joint injections. Spine J 2003; 3:50S-59S.
63. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Vilims BD, Hansen HC, Schultz DM, Kloth DS. Medial branch neurotomy in management of chronic spinal pain: Systematic review of the evidence. Pain Physician2002; 5:405-418.
64. Slipman CW, Bhat AL, Gilchrist RV, Issac Z, Chou L, Lenrow DA. A critical review of the evidence for the use of zygapophysial injections and radiofrequency denervation in the treatment of low back pain. Spine J 2003; 3:310-316.
65. Nelemans PJ, deBie RA, deVet HC, Sturmans F. Injection therapy for subacute and chronic benign low back pain. Spine 2001; 26:501-515.
66. West S, King V, Carey TS, Lohr KN, McKoy N, Sutton SF, Lux L. Systems to rate the strength of scientific evidence. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 47 University of North Carolina: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. AHRQ Publication No. 02-E016; April 2002.
67. van Tulder M, Assendelft W, Koes B, Bouter LM. Method guidelines for systematic reviews in the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group for Spinal Disorders. Spine 1997; 22:2323-2330.
68. Carette S, Marcoux S, Truchon R, Grondin C, Gagnon J, Allard Y, Latulippe M. A controlled trial of corticosteroid injections into facet joints for chronic low back pain. N Engl J Med 1991; 325:1002-1007.
69. Lilius G, Laasonen EM, Myllynen P, Harilainen A, Gronlund G. Lumbar facet joint syndrome. A randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 1989; 71:681-684.
70. Marks RC, Houston T, Thulbourne T. Facet joint injection and facet nerve block. A randomized comparison in 86 patients with chronic low back pain. Pain 1992; 49: 325-328.
71. Nash TP. Facet joints. Intra-articutar steroids or nerve blocks? Pain Clinic 1990; 3: 77-82.
72. Barnsley L, Lord SM, Wallis BJ, Bogduk N. Lack of effect of intra-articutar corticosteroids for chronic pain in the cervical zygapophyseal joints. N Engl J Med 1994; 330: 1047-1050.
73. Murtagh FR. Computed tomography and fluoroscopy guided anesthesia and steroid injection in facet syndrome. Spine 1988; 13:686-689.
74. Destouet JM, Gilula LA, Murphy WA, Monsees B.. Lumbar facet joint injection: Indication, technique, clinical correlation, and preliminary results. Radiology 1982; 145: 321-325.
75. Lynch MC, Taylor JF. Facet joint injection for low back pain. A clinical study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1986; 68:138-141.
76. Lippitt AB. The facet joint and its role in spine pain. Management with facet joint injections. Spine 1984; 9:746-750.
77. Lau LS, Littlejohn GO, Miller MH. Clinical evaluation of intra-articular injections for lumbar facet joint pain. Med J Aust 1985; 143:563-565.
78. Manchikanti L, Pampati VS, Bakhit C, Rivera JJ, Beyer CD, Damron KS, Barnhill RC. Effectiveness of lumbar facet joint nerve blocks in chronic low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. Pain Physician 2001; 4:101-117.
79. Manchikanti KN, Pampati V, Damron KS, McManus CD. A double-blind, controlled evaluation of the value of Sarapin in neural blockade. Pain Physician 2004; 7:59-62.
80. Manchikanti L, Manchikanti KN, Damron KS, Pampati V. Effectiveness of cervical medial branch blocks in chronic neck pain: A prospective outcome study. Pain Physician 2004; 7:195-201.
81. Manchikanti L, Singh V, Pampati V. Are diagnostic lumbar medial branch blocks valid? Results of 2-year follow up. Pain Physician 2003; 6:147-153.
82. Lord SM, Barnsley L, Wallis BJ, McDonald GJ, Bogduk N. Percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy for chronic cervical zygapophyseal joint pain. N Eng J Med 1996; 335:1721-1726.
83. van Kleef M, Barendse GAM, Kessels A, Voets HM, Weber WE, de Lange S. Randomized trial of radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation for chronic low back pain. Spine 1999; 24:1937-1942.
84. Gallagher J, Vadi PLP, Wesley JR. Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain - A prospective controlled double-blind study to assess efficacy. Pain Clinic 1994; 7:193-198.
85. LeClaire R, Fortin L, Lambert R, Bergeron YM, Rossignol M. Radiofrequency facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain: a placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess efficacy. Spine 2001; 26:1411-1417.
86. Sanders M, Zuurmond WWA. Percutaneous intraarticular lumbar facet joint denervation in the treatment of low back pain: A comparison with percutaneous extra-articular lumbar facet denervation. Pain Clin 1999; 11:329-335.
87. van Kleef M, Liem L, Lousberg R, Barendse G, Kessels F, Sluijter M. Radiofrequency lesion adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion for cervicobrachial pain. A prospective double blind randomized study. Neurosurgery 1996; 38:1127-1131.
88. Slappendel R, Crul BJ, Braak GJ, Geurts JW, Booij LH, Voerman VF, de Boo T. The efficacy of radiofrequency lesioning of the cervical spinal dorsal root ganglion in a double blinded randomized study: No difference between 40°C and 67°C treatments. Pain 1997; 73:159-163.
89. Sapir D, Gorup JM. Radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy in litigant and non-litigant patients with cervical whiplash. Spine 2001; 26:E268-E273.
90. Dreyfuss P, Halbrook B, Pauza K, Joshi A, McLarty J, Bogduk N. Efficacy and validity of radiofrequency neurotomy for chronic lumbar zygapophysial joint pain. Spine 2000; 25:1270-1277.
91. Schofferman J, Kine G. Effectiveness of repeated radiofrequency neurotomy for lumbar facet pain. Spine 2004; 29:2471-2473.
92. Stolker RJ, Vervest AC, Groen GJ. Percutaneous facet denervation in chronic thoracic spinal pain. Acta Neurochir 1993; 122: 82-90.
93. McDonald GJ, Lord SM, Bogduk N. Long-term follow-up of patients treated with cervical radiofrequency neurotomy for chronic neck pain. Neurosurgery 1999; 45: 61-68.
94. Tzaan WC, Tasker RR. Percutaneous radiofrequency facet rhizotomy - experience with 118 procedures and reappraisal of its value. Can J Neurol Sci 2000; 27:125-130.
95. North RB, Han M, Zahurak M, Kidd DH. Radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation: Analysis of prognostic factors. Pain 1994; 57:77-83.
96. Schaerer JP. Radiofrequency facet rhizotomy in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain. Int Surg 1978; 63:53-59.
97. Vad VB, Cano WG, Basrai D et al. Role of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovitis in baseball pitchers: a clinical experience. Pain Physician. 2003;6:307-312.
98. Muffolerro AJ, Nader R, Westmark RM, Nauta HJ, Garges KJ, Hadjipavlou AG. Hematogenous pyogenic facet joint infection of the subaxial cervical spine. A report of two cases and review of the literature. J Neurosurg Spine 2001; 95:135-138.
99. Doita M, Nishida K, Miyamoto H, Yoshiya S, Kurosaka M, Nabeshima Y. Septic arthritis of bilateral lumbar facet joints: report of a case with MRI findings in the early stage. Spine 2003; 28:E198-202.
100. Orpen NM, Birch NC. Delayed presentation of septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint after diagnostic facet joint injection. J Spinal Disord Tech 2003; 16:285-287.
101. Alcock E, Regaard A, Browne J. Facet joint injection: A rare form cause of epidural abscess formation. Pain 2003; 103:209-210.
102. Magee M, Kannangara S, Dennien B, Lonergan R, Emmett L, van der Wall H. Paraspinal abscess complicating facet joint injection. Clin Nucl Med 2000; 25:71-73.
103. Windsor RE, Pinzon EG, Gore HC. Complications of common selective spinal injections: Prevention and management. Am J Orthop 2000; 29:759-770.
104. Marks R, Semple AJ: Spinal anaesthesia after facet joint injection. Anaesthesia 1988; 43:65-66.
105. Cook NJ, Hanrahan P, Song S. Paraspinal abscess following facet joint injection. Clin Rheumatol 1999; 18:52-53.
106. Manchikanti L, Cash K, Moss T, Rivera JJ, Pampati V. Risk of whole body radiation exposure and protective measures in fluoroscopically guided interventional techniques: A prospective evaluation. BMC Anesthesiol 2003; 3:2.
107. Berrigan T. Chemical meningism after lumbar facet joint block. Anesthesia 1992; 7:905-906.
108. Thomson SJ, Lomax DM, Collett BJ. Chemical meningism after lumbar facet joint nerve block with local anesthetic and steroids. Anesthesia 1993; 46:563-564.
109. Raj PP, Shah RV, Kay AD, Denaro S, Hoover JM. Bleeding risk in interventional pain practice: Assessment, management, and review of the literature. Pain Physician 2004; 7:3-52.
110. Dreyfuss P, Kaplan M, Dreyer SJ. Zygapophyseal joint injection techniques in the spinal axis. In Lennard T (ed.) Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice, 2nd ed. Hanley & Belfus, Inc., Philadelphia, 2000, pp 276-308.
111. Manchikanti L. Role of neuraxial steroids in interventional pain management. Pain Physician 2002; 5:182-199.
112. Manchikanti L, Pampati V, Beyer C, Damron KS, Cash KA, Moss TL. The effect of neuraxial steroids on weight and bone mass density: A prospective evaluation. Pain Physician 2000; 3:357-366.
113. Kornick CA, Kramarich SS, Lamer TJ, Sitzman BT. Complications of lumbar facet radiofrequency denervation. Spine 2004; 29:1352-1354.
114. Windsor RE, Storm S, Sugar R. Prevention and management of complications resulting from common spinal injections. Pain Physician 2003; 6:473-484.
115. Slavin RE. Best-evidence synthesis: An alternative to meta-analytical and traditional reviews. Educational Researcher 1986; 9:5-11.
116. Hopayian K. The need for caution in interpreting high quality systematic reviews. BMJ 2001; 323:681-684.
117. Manchikanti L. Evidence-based interventional pain medicine: Is there any evidence? Pain Physician 2002; 5:1-7.
118. Bogduk N. In defense of radiofrequency neurotomy. Letter to the editor. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002; 27:439-447.