Medial Branch Blocks vs. Intra-articular Injections: Randomized, Controlled Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Background: Facet interventions are the second most commonly performed procedure in pain clinics throughout the U.S, including in the military. Currently, there is no clear consensus regarding whether intra-articular (IA) blocks or medial branch blocks (facet joint nerve; MBB) are the best way to diagnose and treat facetogenic pain, or even whether or not to perform diagnostic/ prognostic blocks. Hypothesis: IA blocks will provide better relief than MBB, but MBB may better select patients for radiofrequency denervation. Purpose: Objective 1: Determine which prognostic block is the best predictor for RF denervation outcome; Objective 2: To determine whether adding steroids to IA or MBB may provide intermediate or long-term benefit to a subset of individuals. Research Design: Randomized, comparative-effectiveness study Methodology /Technical Approach: A total of 225 patients with non-radicular chronic low back pain (LBP) with suspected facetogenic etiology will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to one of 3 groups: Group 1 will receive IA blocks with steroids and LA Group 2 will receive MBB with steroids and LA Group 3 will receive MBB with only saline Those individuals who obtain significant (≥ 50% in groups 1 and 2,3) but temporary (< 1-month) relief will undergo radiofrequency (RF) denervation at their 1-month follow-up. In group 3, those patients who do not experience pain relief at 1-month will undergo RF denervation regardless of the pain relief they experience (as many practitioners in the military and civilian practices do without diagnostic blocks).1-3 Participants in Groups 1 and 2 who experience prolonged relief from their diagnostic/ therapeutic blocks with LA and steroids will not undergo RF denervation until their pain returns. Those individuals who experience prolonged relief lasting > 6 months will be given the option of repeating the diagnostic/ therapeutic block. In Groups 1, 2 and 3 patients who experience prolonged relief from the diagnostic blocks, follow-up visits will be at 1-month, 3-months and 6-months after the block, or until their pain relief wears off. In those who undergo denervation based on a positive block, follow-ups will be performed 1, 3 and 6-months after the denervation provided they continue to experience significant (> 50%) relief at each follow-up. Those individuals who fail to experience significant relief after denervation will be unblinded and exit the study per protocol.

Detailed Description
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Two hundred and twenty five patients with suspected lumbar facet arthropathy scheduled to undergo diagnostic lumbar facet blocks will be enrolled in this study at WRNMMC and randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio into one of 3 groups. Group 1 will receive IA blocks with steroids and LA, group 2 will receive MBB with steroids and LA, and group 3 will receive MBB with only saline. Subjects and (but not injecting physicians) evaluators will be blinded throughout their participation in the study as to treatment allocation. The nerves and joints to be blocked will be determined by physical exam (i.e. the location of paraspinal tenderness), and radiological findings. Group 1: The 80 patients in this group will undergo IA blocks under fluoroscopic guidance with 0.5 mL solutions containing a 50:50 mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine and 10 mg depomethylprednisolone (called steroid). In all cases, correct positioning will be confirmed by the administration of contrast. After the block, they will be administered a pain diary to maintain for the next 6 hours. In accordance with standard care, a positive response will be > 50% pain relief lasting at least 3 hours. Patients who have not undergone physical therapy (PT) will be sent for PT . The first follow-up will be at 1-month. In those individuals with a positive block whose pain has returned to baseline, RF denervation will be performed at the same levels done for the diagnostic block. Once adequate sensory stimulation is confirmed, a 1 mL mixture containing equal amounts of 2% lidocaine 0.5 mL) and 20 mg depo-methylprednisolone (0.5 mL) will be injected to reduce procedure-related pain and decrease the incidence of neuritis. For those patients who have persistent (> 50%) pain relief at 1-month, they will return for their 2nd follow-up at 3-months. If their pain relief persists at this point, their final follow-up will be 6-months post-procedure. Pain relief in this group that lasts > 6 months can be treated with repeat IA injections if the patient so desires, while that which persists for < 6 months will be treated with RF denervation. Patients who experience a negative diagnostic block, or who fail to obtain significant pain relief at any follow-up from their RF denervation, will exit the study per protocol to pursue alternative treatments Group 2: The 80 patients in this group will undergo MBB blocks under fluoroscopic guidance with 0.5 mL solutions containing a 50:50 mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine and 10 mg of depo-methylprednisolone steroid. After the block, they will be administered a pain diary to maintain for the next 6 hours. Patients who have not undergone physical therapy will be sent for a PT program. The first follow-up will be at 1-month. In those individuals who do not experience significant pain relief, RF denervation will be performed at the same levels done for the diagnostic block, as described in 'Group 1'. For those patients who have persistent (> 50%) pain relief at 1-month, they will return for their 2nd follow-up at 3-months. If their pain relief persists at this point, their final follow-up will be 6-months post-procedure. Pain relief in this group that lasts > 6 months can be treated with repeat MBB if they desire, while that which persists for < 6 months will be treated with RF denervation. Patients who experience a negative diagnostic block, or who fail to obtain significant pain relief at any follow-up from their RF denervation, will exit the study per protocol to pursue alternative treatments. Group 3: The 40 patients in this group will undergo IA blocks under fluoroscopic guidance with 0.5 mL of normal saline. After the block, they will be administered a pain diary to maintain for the next 6 hours. Patients who have not undergone physical therapy will be sent for PT. The first follow-up will be at 1-month. In those individuals who fail to experience significant pain relief at this time point, RF denervation will be performed at the same levels done for the diagnostic block, as described in 'Group 1'. For those patients who have persistent (> 50%) pain relief at 1-month, they will return for their 2nd follow-up at 3-months. If their pain relief persists at this point, their final follow-up will be 6-months post-procedure. Pain relief from the block in this group that lasts > 6 months can be treated with repeat MBB, while that which persists for < 6 months will be treated with RF denervation. In patients who do not experience significant pain relief at their 1-month follow-up, RF denervation will be performed. Those who experience a negative outcome from RF denervation, will exit the study per protocol to pursue alternative treatments. During follow visits, subjects who have difficulty arranging for transportation can elect to conduct their follow-up visits over the telephone, via fax, or by e-mail, whichever is most convenient.

Official Title
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Medial Branch Blocks vs. Intra-articular Injections: Randomized, Controlled Study Comparing Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Denervation Using Diagnostic Injections.

Conditions
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Lumbar Facet Joint Pain, Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Intra-articular injection
* Procedure: Medial branch block
* Procedure: Saline injection


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age > 18 years Suspected lumbar facet arthropathy based on history and physical exam (e.g. axial lower back pain, paraspinal tenderness, no pain referral below the knee) NRS back pain score > 4; MRI evidence of spinal pathology consistent with symptoms. Exclusion Criteria: Untreated coagulopathy No MRI study Signs or symptoms of cauda equina syndrome Focal neurological signs and symptoms Allergic reactions to local anesthetics or contrast dye Serious medical or condition that might preclude optimal outcome Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intra-articular injection<br>Intra-articular injection into the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of a 50:50 solution containing 10 mg of depo-methylprednisolone and 0.5% bupivacaine | Procedure: Intra-articular injection<br>* Intra-articular injection into the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of a 50:50 solution containing 10 mg of depo-methylprednisolone and 0.5% bupivacaine. If the subject has a positive block a radiofrequency denervation will be performed at the affected joint.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Medial branch block<br>Medial branch blocks at the nerves that supply the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of a 50:50 solution containing 10 mg of depo-methylprednisolone and 0.5% bupivacaine | Procedure: Medial branch block<br>* Medial branch blocks at the nerves that supply the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of a 50:50 solution containing 10 mg of depo-methylprednisolone and 0.5% bupivacaine. If the subject has a positive block a radiofrequency denervation will be performed at the affected joint.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Saline injection<br>Injection into the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of normal saline | Procedure: Saline injection<br>* Injection into the affected facet joint(s) with 0.5 ml of normal saline. All subjects in the group will receive radiofrequency denervation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain Score | 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) average pain score after facet injection | 1 month | 
| Pain Score | 0-10 numerical rating scale pain score after radiofrequency ablation | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Successful outcome after RF denervation | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 1 month | 
| Successful outcome after RF denervation | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 3 months | 
| Successful outcome after RF denervation | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 6 months | 
| Successful outcome after facet block | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 1 month | 
| Successful outcome after facet block | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 3 months | 
| Successful outcome after facet block | Proportion of patients in each arm who undergo RF denervation who experience a > 50% decrease in pain score and a satisfaction score > 3 | 6 months | 
| Proportion of people with a positive pain diary | Proportion of people who experience > 50% pain relief after the diagnostic block | 1-day after injection | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 1 month after initial injection | 1 month | 
| Pain score | Average NRS pain score 3 months after initial injection | 3 months | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 3 months after initial injection | 3 months | 
| Pain score | Average NRS pain score 6 months after initial injection | 6 months | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 6 months after initial injection | 6 months | 
| Pain score | Average NRS pain score 1 month after RF denervation | 1 month | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 1 month after RF denervation | 1 month | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 3 months after RF denervation | 3 months | 
| Pain score | Average NRS pain score 6 months after RF denervation | 6 months | 
| Pain score | Worst NRS pain score 6 months after RF denervation | 6 months | 
| Function | Oswestry disability index score 1-month after initial injection | 1 month | 
| Function | Oswestry disability score 3-months after initial injection | 3 months | 
| Function | Oswestry disability score 6-months after initial injection | 3 months | 
| Function | Oswestry disability score 1-month after RF denervation | 1 month | 
| Function | Oswestry disability score 3-months after RF denervation | 3 months | 
| Function | Oswestry disability score 6-months after RF denervation | 6 months | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 1-month after initial injection | 1-month | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 3-months after initial injection | 3-months | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 6-months after initial injection | 6-months | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 1-month after RF denervation | 1-month | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 3-months after RF denervation | 3-months | 
| Satisfaction | Satisfaction on 1-5 scale 6-months after RF denervation | 6-months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Facet joint, Medial branch block, Radiofrequency denervation, Zygapophysial joint, Low back pain