Open Facet Joint Denervation in the Treatment of Low Back Pain

Open Facet Joint Denervation in the Treatment of Low Back Pain -A Randomized Control Trial.

A single blinded RCT for adult patients with spine pain. One group had a lumbar laminectomy with denervation of the facet joint at the level decompressed. The other group had a lumbar laminectomy without facet joint denervation. Both groups had their back pain and functional limitations measured using a 10 cm visual analogue scale and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). All measures were taken before surgery and at patients' 6, 12 and 24 week follow-up clinic visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 19 or older
• a diagnosis of spinal stenosis
• having neurogenic claudication
• complained of back pain for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous surgery on their spine,
• fracture, systemic inflammatory disease,
• malignancies or an infection affecting their spine