• Tilman Wolter, M Deininger, U Hubbe, M Mohadjer, and S Knoeller.
• Interdisciplinary Pain Centre, Breisacherstr. 64, 79106, Freiburg, Germany. tilman.wolter@uniklinik-freiburg.de
• Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2011 May 1; 153 (5): 1011-9.

PurposeLumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS) is the cause of pain in 15-54% of the patients with low-back pain. There are few studies of cryotherapy for LFJS, focusing mainly on pain scores rather than further outcome measures. The aim of the study was to determine the long-term outcome after cryoneurolysis of lumbar facet joints, looking at pain scores, pain-related impairment patient satisfaction, and pain-related anxiety/depression.MethodsThe study design was a retrospective observational study. In a 4-year period, 117 cryoneurolyses were performed in 91 patients under CT guidance in the prone position. Data from patient charts and questionnaires pre- and post-treatment were evaluated.ResultsThe mean pain rating sank from 7.70 before treatment to 3.72 post treatment. In the post-interventional 3 months follow-up, this value rose to 4.22. At follow-up (mean 1.7 years, range 6-52 months), the mean visual analogue scale (VAS) was 4.99. The pain disability index revealed statistically significant improvements in the following items: familiar and domestic duties, recreation, social activities, profession and vitally indispensable activities (p < 0.05). Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) scores for depression showed a statistically significant decline after therapy, whereas scores for anxiety did not. A subgroup of patients who did not benefit from cryoneurolysis had elevated depression scores.ConclusionsCryoneurolysis for LFJS can lead to favourable results with sustained pain relief, amelioration of pain-related disability and reduction of depression scores.

27 keywords...

hide…