Effectiveness of Facet Joint Injection for Treatment of Acute Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture / 대한골다공증학회지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of facet joint injection for acute phase of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture as alternative method for vertebrolplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to May 2007, a total 275 patient of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture treated with conservative treatment or facet joint injection were selected. We divided all patients into two groups as treated only conservative treatment or facet joint injection. RESULTS: In comparison, group of patient who took facet joint injection showed significantly increased effects than the other group in pain, using pain controller and activity (P<0.05). Group of patient who took conservative treatment, are treated with vertebroplasty in 52 patients, are showed the loss of height in vertevral body in 4 patients. Group of patient who took facet joint injection, are treated with vertebroplasty in 43 patients, are showed the loss of height in vertevral body in 29 patients. There was no complication with facet joint injection or vertebroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Facet joint injection is the effective and stable technique for acute pain on acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. The loss of height in vertevral body is more frequent at group of patient who took facet joint injection.

Effectiveness of Selective Nerve Root Block on the Need for Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Spine: A Minimum 5 Years Follow up / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a selective nerve root block (SNRB) in patients with sciatica before surgery through a more than 5 year follow up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2000, patients with sciatica, who were recommended to undergo surgery to diagnose and treat sciatica by other clinics or at our hospital, were selected to undergo SNRB before surgery. Among them, 69 patients were followed up for 5 years. The analysis was based on the patients' medical records and telephone interviews, and the treatment results in the SNRB group and operation group were analyzed using Kim's criteria and the Visual Analog Scale score. RESULTS: Among the 69 patients, there was no improvement in symptoms in 37 patients after SNRB. Therefore, they underwent surgery. The symptoms of the remaining 32 patients were improved by SNRB. Overall, younger patients and those with a longer symptom duration required surgery. CONCLUSION: SNRB was performed on patients with sciatica who were scheduled to undergo surgery. Some patients showed improvement in their symptoms in the long term. Therefore, SNRB should be considered as a treatment option prior to surgery.