Pain management in vertebral fractures and facet joint syndrome of the thoracic and lumbar spine from the perspective of an interventional radiologist
Abstract
Vertebral fracture is a common trauma can occur at any age group. Unstable fractures are treated surgically to restore the basic spinal functionality.
In most cases, stable fractures are treated conservatively or by minimally invasive techniques. Pain is the most common symptom and can be a limiting factor for an early return to ones daily activities.
Among the minimally invasive procedures for pain management are analgesis blockades, oxygen-ozone therapy, radiofrequency ablation or augmentation. This paper presents the current view of evidence-based medicine (EBM) on individual methods of pain treatment of which basic principles and aspects are discussed.
Furthermore, the practical experiences of the author's workplace are presented. Over the past 8 years, more than 8,800 back pain treatments under CT guidance and 253 augmentation procedures have been performed at the authors' workplace.
No clinically significant complication was observed.