Turkish Neurosurgery 2019 , Vol 29 , Num 4
Do Stabilization Exercises Increase the Effects of Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Denervation?
Hatice CETIN1,Nezire KOSE1,Ceyhun TURKMEN1,Esra DULGER1,Sevil BILGIN1,Altan SAHIN2
1Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey
2Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.24946-18.2 AIM: To investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on pain severity, functional disability, and physical performance after two weeks following radiofrequency denervation in patients with lumbar facet joint syndrome (LFJS).

MATERIAL and METHODS: Thirty-nine patients diagnosed with LFJS and had radiofrequency denervation were assigned to study and control groups. The study group (n=20) received a six-week stabilization exercise program and was informed about spine biomechanics, while the control group (n=19) received only informations about spine biomechanics. Pain severity with visual analogue scale, perceived disability with Oswestry disability index, physical performance with physical performance tests and gait speed test were applied before and after radiofrequency denervation, and after six weeks of intervention program.

RESULTS: Despite the similar improvements were shown in terms of all outcomes in both groups following radiofrequency denervation (p>0.05), the improvements were more in favor of study group after six week intervention program (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that radiofrequency denervation is effective in improving the pain, disability, and physical performance in patients with LFJS and this effect is further enhanced by the stabilization exercises following this procedure. Adding stabilization exercises to radiofrequency denervation yielded positive outcomes and these exercise are strongly advised in physiotherapy and rehabilitation program. Keywords : Zygapophyseal joint, Spine, Radiofrequency denervation, Paraspinal muscles, Exercise

Corresponding author : Hatice CETIN, haticebitirim@hacettepe.edu.tr