Background data:

Nearly 85% of all individuals are reported to have experienced lower back pain by the age of 50. The prevalence of lower back pain increases starting from the second decade, and reaches the highest level between the ages of 55–64. The large majority (97%) of lower back pain is mechanical in nature.

Purpose:

To demonstrate the effectiveness of lumbar facet blockage for mechanical back pain (MBP).

Material and methods:

Patients were laid in a prone position on the fluoroscopy table. A 22-G spinal needle was used to administer 10 mg prilocaine, 5 mg bupivacaine and 10 mg methylprednisolone acetate to all four of the L4–5 and L5–S1 facet joints with the aid of fluoroscopic AP and lateral visualization. The patients were discharged after a short waiting period of 20 minutes. Rest was not recommended for the patients. The patients were evaluated with the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale. For all patients, the questionnaire and scale values were recorded prior to surgery, and on the postoperative first day, tenth day, first month, and sixth month.

Results:

After intervention, the VAS and OD scores were recorded to be significantly lower than in the preoperative period. The patients had no need to rest after the procedure.

Conclusion:

Facet joint blockage has significant advantages, including statistically significant good early period results, greater reduction of pain during the follow-up period, and easy applicability of the procedure.

Keywords: Facet blockage, lumbar facet joint, mechanical back pain