Usefulness of Ultrasound-guided Facet Joint Block in the Out Patient Clinics

Study Design: Level III, retrospective studies. Objectives: This study is conducted to evaluate the effect and usefulness of ultrasound guided facet block for the outpatients who complained of chronic lower back pain. Summary of Literature Review: Facet joint syndrome was introduced in 1976, by Mooney V. It was considered to be one of the major causes of low back pain. Materials and Methods: Between October 2009 to March 2011, 98 cases were selected from the outpatients who complained of chronic lower back pain for more than 3 months. The patients had no surgery history and did not complain of neuromuscular symptoms, and they had more than three times outpatient care at least and could be followed up for 1 year. The patients were divided into three groups; first was the ultrasound guided facet block group (27 cases), second was the Fluoroscopy guided facet block group (39cases) and third was the conservative group (32 cases).The clinical results were analyzed using Kim’s criteria and the Visual Analog Scale score, ODI score, Physician’s global assessment (subjective), Patient’s global assessment (Objective). Results: The VAS score was improved from an average of 7.75±1.5 to 4.47±2.4 in the ultrasound guided facet block group, and from 7.81±1.4 to 4.39 ±2.6 in the Fluoroscopy guided facet block group, and from 7.87±1.3 to 6.24±2.1 in the conservative group. The VAS score, Kim’s criteria, ODI score, Physician’s global assessment (subjective), and Patient’s global assessment (Objective) showed statistically significant improvement in the ultrasound guided facet block group and Fluoroscopy guided facet block group. Conclusion: In the outpatient clinics, comparing with the group that underwent conservative treatment with medication, the group treated with ultrasound for block could have better results in clinical improvement.