Treatment of spondyloarthritis (facet syndrome) by puncture techniques

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation of facet joints in combination with periarticular administration of local anaesthetics and steroids for elimination of pain in patients with low lumbar pain and predominantly spondyloarthritis. Material and methods. 78 patients with lower lumbar pain syndrome and arcuate joints arthrosis as a leading clinical manifestation underwent radiofrequency denervation of facet joints and periarticular administration of local anaesthetic and steroid drug (main group). The control group involved 136 patients with lumbar pain and dominating spondylarthritis treated only by radiofrequency denervation of facet joints. Results. Both in the early and late periods after treatment, reliable results were obtained in treatment of chronic lower lumbar pain caused mainly by arcuate joints damage both in the main and control groups. However, there was a significant difference between the main group and the control group in the early period (in three months after treatment), in favour of the main group. In the late period (in 1 year after treatment) a reliable treatment result was obtained both in the main and control groups, but there was no difference in the treatment results between these groups. Conclusions. Periarticular administration of local anaesthetics and steroids is effective in the short term, and radiofrequency denervation of facet joints is effective in both the short and longer term.