Effectiveness of HA injection therapy in the treatment of lumbar facet joint arthritis

Viscosupplementation in lumbar facet joint arthropathy: a pilot study.

Article specifications

This clinical trial was published in 2008 in Journal of J Spinal Disord Tech. (IF 2010: 2.35) by Ireland specialists. The study aim was to test the potential effectiveness of HA injection therapy in the treatment of lumbar facet joint arthritis. Thirteen patients with symptomatic lumbar facet joint arthritis who met the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited. A single injection of HA into affected facet joints was then performed, with correct placement confirmed on fluoroscopy. The patients were similarly evaluated 6 weeks after treatment.

 

Result

At 6-week follow up, there was no significant improvement in pain when measured on the Visual Analog Score. Preliminary results from this pilot study do not demonstrate any benefit of viscosupplementation in the management of symptomatic lumbar facet arthropathy.