The impacts of facet radiofrequency and/or transforaminal steroid injection on level of pain, life quality and degree of depression in patients with chronic low back pain: A retrospective study.

Abstract

Objectives: Low back pain is a widespread medical condition seen in middle-aged and elderly individuals, causing labor loss, high treatment costs, depression, and poor life quality. This study aimed to investigate pain levels, life quality, and depression in patients undergoing facet radiofrequency (RF) and/or transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: The records of 51 patients with low back pain lasting more than three months who underwent interventional procedures for pain management were reviewed retrospectively. Patient data including age, sex, type of interventional treatment, visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and after the procedure, SF-36 life quality scores, and Beck Depression Scale (BDS) scores were obtained from patient tracking forms and the hospital information system.

Results: A total of 51 patients (35 males, 16 females) who received interventional treatment were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 48.37±13 years. Patients underwent facet RF (n=14), TFESI (n=23), or both procedures combined (n=14). Compared to pre-procedure values, VAS and BDS scores at the third and sixth months were significantly lower (p<0.05), while SF-36 life quality scores were significantly higher (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the third and sixth months (p>0.05).

Conclusion: In chronic low back pain, interventional treatments such as facet RF and/or TFESI were found to reduce pain and depression levels and improve life quality.