Facet and Selective Nerve Root Blocks as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Alternative in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Abstract
Introduction: Intra-articular facet blocks and selective nerve root blocks are useful as a diagnostic and therapeutic method for the management of chronic low back pain. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze the results of these blocks. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with data from patients undergoing CT-guided intra-articular facet block and selective nerve root block between January 2014 and February 2015. The demographic information, the visual analog scale’s score before and after the block, and their relationships to the outcomes were analyzed. Results: The study included 68 patients with intra-articular facet block and 89 with selective nerve root block. In both groups, pain improved significantly (p < 0.05). There was an association between the improvement in pain with intra-articular facet blocks and gender and age, and between the improvement achieved by selective nerve root blocks and the type of initial pain. Conclusions: Intra-articular facet blocks and selective nerve root blocks are a useful diagnostic method in the management of chronic low back pain and their therapeutic action is significant, although studies are needed to know their analgesic effect in the medium and long term, in order to improve the quality of life of patients.Downloads
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