Outcome analysis of pulsed radiofrequency for cervical facet joint pain: Can we predict it with sagittal alignment parameters ?

Abstract

Background Neck pain due to cervical facet joint pain has a prevalence of 36–60% in chronic neck pain. Pulsed radiofrequency for such pain has been verified. After proper patient selection, pulsed radiofrequency of the cervical facet joints provide long-term pain relief in a routine clinical setting. Objective We analyzed the factors from the clinical data and sagittal alignment parameters and investigated the predictors of pulsed radiofrequency for cervical facet joint pain Methods There were 204 patients with cervical facet joint pain who received a medial branch block and pulsed radiofrequency between 2015 and 2020. The patients were classified into good and poor outcome groups based on the improvement of the pain score. Clinical and radiological data were analyzed. Results Multivariable logistic model showed that the predictors were cervical lordosis including two methods, ossification of the nuchal ligament, number of facet joints, anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, and adjacent facet joint after anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. Conclusion With the results, we demonstrated that the outcome were related to cervical lordosis, formation of ossification of nuchal ligament, the number of facet joints, post anterior cervical discectomy with fusion, and adjacent facet joint post anterior cervical discectomy with fusion .