Medial Branch Neurotomy in Management of Chronic Spinal Pain: Systematic Review of the Evidence

Abstract

Zygapophysial or facet joints have been implicated as cause of low back, mid back, upper back and neck pain with referred pain. Cervical, thoracic and lumbar facet joints are innervated by the medial branches of the dorsal rami. Zygapophysial (facet) joints have been implicated as the source of chronic pain in 15% to 45% of the patients with chronic low back pain, 54% to 60% of the patients with chronic neck pain and 48% of the patients with thoracic pain.

A systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation in the management of chronic spinal pain was undertaken. This review included randomized clinical trials, as well as non-randomized or observational studies in the analysis. Literature search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, cross-references to the reviews and various published trials; and peer reviewed abstracts from scientific meetings during the past two years. An algorithmic approach was followed in study evaluation with a description of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A set of high-performing scales or checklists pertaining to randomized clinical trials and observational trials derived from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was utilized; Systems to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence. Qualitative analysis was conducted, using five levels of evidence for effectiveness of medial branch neurotomy.

Our search strategy identified over 1,000 citations as the result of electronic and manual screening. A total of 7 randomized trials of radiofrequency neurotomy for spinal pain were identified. However, only 4 related to medial branch neurotomy. Two of the four met the inclusion criteria. Among the multiple observational studies considered for inclusion, 4 prospective evaluations were included in the systematic review. In addition, 3 retrospective evaluations were also included. Two randomized trials comprised of 27 patients receiving active treatment. The first study consisted of cervical facet joint pain and the second consisted of lumbar facet joint pain. Both studies showed positive results. Similar to randomized trials, prospective, as well as retrospective evaluations showed positive evidence, both in short-term and long-term.

The results of this systematic review of 2 well-designed randomized trials, 4 prospective well-designed trials without randomization and 3 retrospective evaluations provided strong evidence that radiofrequency denervation offers short-term relief and moderate evidence of long-term pain relief of facet joint origin.