Role of radiofrequency denervation in lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovitis in baseball pitchers: a clinical experience.

Lumbar zygapophyseal joints have long been considered a source of low back pain with or without leg pain. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of lumbar zygapophyseal joint radiofrequency denervation (RFD) followed by physical therapy, for the treatment of refractory lumbar zygapophyseal joint mediated low back pain secondary to lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovitis, in baseball pitchers. Participants included twelve male baseball pitchers with a diagnosis of lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovitis mediated low back pain and a subsequent difficulty in pitching. These athletes underwent a trial of treatment, including oral anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, osteopathic manipulations, and fluoroscopically guided intra-articular zygapophyseal joint injection utilizing steroid and local anesthetic agent. Failure to progress led to these athletes receiving percutaneous, fluoroscopically-guided, radiofrequency denervation of the bilateral L 4-L5 and L5-S1 zygapophyseal joints. A good response to a diagnostic medial branch block was a prerequisite for RFD treatment. In all cases, the medial branch above and below the involved level was treated. Post procedure, all athletes participated in a phased physical therapy program followed by a progressive return to pitching. Success was defined as the ability to return to pre-procedure level of baseball pitching combined with greater than 50% low back pain reduction. Pre- and post-RFD, Visual Analog (Numeric) Scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris (R-M) tests were administered. Ten out of 12 (83%) athletes were able to return to pitching at a level attained prior to RFD. All 12 patients, experienced statistically significant low back pain relief, with a mean pre-RFD VAS of 8.4; mean post-RFD VAS of 1.7; mean pre-RFD R-M score of 12.3; and mean post-RFD R-M score of 22.3. In conclusion, athletes, experiencing lumbar zygapophyseal joint mediated low back pain secondary to zygapophyseal joint synovitis and have failed more conservative management may benefit from radiofrequency zygapophyseal joint denervation followed by a formal rehabilitation program.