Lumbar Facet Joint Interventions

Lumbar facet joints are a clinically important source of chronic low back pain. There have been extensive diagnostic accuracy studies. Based on the controlled, comparative local anesthetic blocks, chronic persistent low back secondary to facet joint pathology has been shown to be prevalent in 27–40% of selected populations with false-positive rates of 27–47%, utilizing greater than 80% pain relief as the criterion standard. Numerous modalities of treatments for managing chronic low back pain and the growing social and economic costs continue to influence medical decision making. Lumbosacral intraarticular injections, facet joint nerve blocks, and facet joint nerve radiofrequency have been utilized extensively in managing chronic low back pain, non-responsive to conservative modalities of management including physical therapy, structured exercise program, chiropractic management, and medical therapy including opioids.