Our study will include patients who are examined at the Ondokuz Mayis University Algology
Outpatient Clinic and diagnosed with chronic low back pain originating from the facet
joints and deemed suitable for lumbar facet joint medial branch radiofrequency RF
ablation (RFA) treatment. The study period will be between August 1, 2025, and June 30,
2026. Those who do not volunteer to participate in the study, those with significant
anatomical deformities in the lumbar spine, those unable to answer the study questions,
those with a history of lumbar vertebral surgery, and those who are or may be pregnant
will be excluded.
Patients' gender, age, body mass index, and the duration of pain will be recorded.
Patients' pain intensity will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The NRS asks patients to rate their pain intensity
between 0 and 10. 0 represents no pain, and 10 represents the highest pain they can
imagine. Patients' NRS scores and ODI scores at rest and during activity will be recorded
before and 1 month after the RFA procedure. A 40% or greater reduction in ODI score will
be defined as "significant benefit from the procedure." The angles of the superior
articular and transverse processes at the bilateral L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1
levels, as well as the angles of the facet joint in the axial plane, will be calculated
from Lumbar Spine Computed Tomography images taken during the diagnosis and treatment
processes. No additional imaging will be required for this study; the data will be
obtained from the patients' previously obtained lumbar spine CT images.
Patients will be divided into two groups for each level: "greater angle" and "lesser
angle," based on the angles specified above. Post-procedure pain scores and the rate of
significant benefit from the procedure will be compared. Patients will be evaluated one
month after the procedure for pain scores and Oswestry Disability Index. Furthermore, a
correlation will be investigated between the reduction in pain scores at each level and
the specified angles. Statistical analyses of the study will be conducted using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Data obtained by counting will
be expressed as numbers and percentages, and data obtained by measurement will be
expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The Student t-test will be used for parameters
showing normal distribution in comparisons of descriptive statistical methods and
quantitative data, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for parameters not showing
normal distribution. The chi-square test will be used for comparisons of qualitative
data.
The relationship between changes in pain scores and the anatomical angles evaluated in
the study will be assessed using the Pearson Correlation Test. A P value of less than
0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
This cross-sectional, observational study will not interfere with the patients' routine
treatment protocols.
Sample Size and Statistical Methods: Statistical analyses of the study will be conducted
using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 26. Data obtained by
counting will be expressed as numbers and percentages, and data obtained by measurement
will be expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The Student t-test will be used for
normally distributed parameters when comparing descriptive statistical methods and
quantitative data, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for non-normally distributed
parameters. The chi-square test will be used for comparisons of qualitative data. The
relationship between changes in pain scores and the anatomical angles evaluated in the
study will be assessed using the Pearson Correlation Test. A P value of less than 0.05
will be considered statistically significant.
