Radiofrequency facet rhizotomy in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain.

The value of radiofrequency facet rhizotomy in the treatment of patients with chronic neck and low back pain problems is assessed on the basis of experience with 117 consecutive patients. Only patients with positive responses to facet blocking with local anesthetic were selected. Overall results in 50 neck procedures were: excellent, 16%; good, 34%; fair, 18%; poor, 28%; and lost to follow-up, 4%. In the 71 lumbar rhizotomies results were: excellent, 15%; good, 20%; fair, 27%; poor, 31%; and lost to follow-up, 7%. Average follow-up time was 13.7 months. We conclude that radiofrequency rhizotomy is a valuable tool in the treatment of chronic neck and low back pain.