It is estimated that 15% to 40% of chronic back pain cases involve the facet joints. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerve is a widely used therapeutic intervention that is very effective in reducing facet joint pain is. However, an unavoidable consequence of RFA is denervation of the multifidus muscle. The multifidus contributes significantly to the active, segmental stability of the spine. Recent reports suggest short-term adverse effects on the multifidus muscle following of RFA, including multifidus atrophy and increased fat infiltration. Of even more concern, there is increased intervertebral disc degeneration at the treated level within a year of RFA. We have recently found that RFA patients have 2 to 5 times increased risk of developing other degenerative conditions or receiving a spine surgery in the next 5 to 10 years compared to other low-back pain patients. The objective of this study is to quantify short- and long-term adverse consequences to adjacent muscle and disc following RFA for facet joint pain.
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