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European Spine Journal

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Open Access 01-04-2016 | Review Article

Intra-articular facet joint injections for low back pain: a systematic review

Authors: Rajni Vekaria, Ree’thee Bhatt, David R. Ellard, Nicholas Henschke, Martin Underwood, Harbinder Sandhu

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 4/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence supporting the use of therapeutic intra-articular facet joint injections for patients with suspected facet joint pain is sparse. A systematic review including a narrative synthesis was carried out to determine if intra-articular facet joint injections with active drug are more effective in reducing back pain and back pain-related disability than a sham procedure or a placebo/inactive injection. Secondly, to determine if intra-articular facet joint injections with active drug or placebo/inactive injection are more effective in reducing back pain and back pain-related disability than conservative treatment.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Index to Chiropractic Literature and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through April 2015. Data were screened and single extraction with independent verification and risk of bias assessment was performed.

Results

A total of 391 records were screened, and six trials were included. The trials included were small (range 18–109 participants) and overall in terms of pain and disability outcomes most were inconclusive. Only two of the trials report any significant between-group differences in pain (mean difference −1.0, 95 % CI −2.0 to −0.1) and (p = 0.032) or disability (mean difference −3.0, 95 % CI −6.2 to 0.2) and (p = 0.013) outcomes.

Conclusions

The studies found here were clinically diverse and precluded any meta-analysis. A number of methodological issues were identified. The positive results, whilst interpreted with caution, do suggest that there is a need for further high-quality work in this area.

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Title: Intra-articular facet joint injections for low back pain: a systematic review
Authors: Rajni Vekaria
Ree’thee Bhatt
David R. Ellard
Nicholas Henschke
Martin Underwood
Harbinder Sandhu
Publication date: 01-04-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4455-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Intra-articular facet joint injections for low back pain: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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