Symptom Recurrence Pattern after Radiofrequency Thermocoagulationfor Facet Joint Syndrome. |
Jho, Sun Kug , Kim, Kyung Min , Chang, Jae Hyeok , Shin, Yong Beom , Ko, Hyun Yoon , Sohn, Hyun Joo |
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Korea. drsohnhj@gmail.com 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Busan Medical Center, Korea. |
척추 후관절 증후군에서 고주파 열응고술 후 증상의 재발 양상 |
조선국1, 김경민, 장재혁, 신용범, 고현윤, 손현주 |
부산대학교 의학전문대학원 재활의학교실, 1부산의료원 재활의학과 |
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Abstract |
Objective To investigate the rates and mean duration of symptom recurrence after repeated radiofrequency thermocoagulations of the lumbar medial branch nerves for facet joint syndrome. Method Medical records of 284 patients who had consecutive radiofrequency thermocoagulations for facet joint syndrome were reviewed. Responses of repeated radiofrequency thermocoagulations were compared with the initial radiofrequency thermocoagulation for mean duration of symptom recurrence and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Forty-one (14.4%) among the patients who had radiofrequency thermocoagulation for facet joint syndrome were treated with additional radiofrequency thermocoagulation because of symptom recurrence. Thirty-seven patients were treated twice and four patients were treated three times. The mean duration of symptom recurrence of these patients was 7.3 months (2.3∼12.3 months). Reduction of the VAS pain scores were significantly lower after repeated radiofrequency thermocoagulations compared with initial radiofrequency thermocoagulation (p<0.05). Conclusion With well-defined diagnostic criteria for facet joint syndrome and a meticulous technique of radiofrequency thermocoagulation, radiofrequency thermocoagulation would be a useful treatment modality for patients with facet joint syndrome. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2009; 33: 94-97) |
Key Words:
Radiofrequency thermocoagulation, Facet joint syndrome |
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