{"title":"Lumbar radiofrequency ablation for lumbar facet joint pain.","authors":"Kathleen Pecoraro","doi":"10.1097/NSG.0000000000000341","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Low back pain is a common and potentially debilitating disorder. Pain due to lumbar facet joint pathology is estimated to occur in 15% to 45% of those with low back pain. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common interventional pain management procedure used to treat lumbar facet joint disease (LFJD). RFA is available for patients when conservative treatment has been unsuccessful. A major benefit to RFA is the diminished need for the use of opioid and other potentially harmful medications. RFA also has the potential to prevent the need for more invasive treatment. The procedures necessary prior to RFA and RFA itself are performed in outpatient settings and allow patients to quickly return to their normal activities post procedure. This article describes the risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing considerations of a patient with LFJD. The steps to an RFA and the RFA procedure itself are also discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":35641,"journal":{"name":"Nursing","volume":"56 4","pages":"29-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/NSG.0000000000000341","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/3/23 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"Nursing","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Abstract: Low back pain is a common and potentially debilitating disorder. Pain due to lumbar facet joint pathology is estimated to occur in 15% to 45% of those with low back pain. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common interventional pain management procedure used to treat lumbar facet joint disease (LFJD). RFA is available for patients when conservative treatment has been unsuccessful. A major benefit to RFA is the diminished need for the use of opioid and other potentially harmful medications. RFA also has the potential to prevent the need for more invasive treatment. The procedures necessary prior to RFA and RFA itself are performed in outpatient settings and allow patients to quickly return to their normal activities post procedure. This article describes the risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing considerations of a patient with LFJD. The steps to an RFA and the RFA procedure itself are also discussed.
期刊介绍:
Nursing2020 (ISSN 0360-4039; online ISSN 1538-8689) published its first issue in November 1971, under founders Gene W. Jackson and Daniel Cheney. In the intervening years, its circulation has grown to over 150,000, making it one of the largest nursing journals in the world. Published monthly, Nursing2020 is widely regarded as offering current, practical contents to its readers, and has won many editorial awards testifying to the quality of its copy and graphics. The editorial and clinical staff, a 19-member Editorial Board of distinguished clinicians and practitioners, and over 100 invited reviewers help ensure the quality of this publication.