Efficacy of high-energy, focused ESWT in treatment of lumbar facet joint pain: a randomized sham-controlled trial

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00064203%3A_____%2F25%3A10498129" target="_blank" >RIV/00064203:_____/25:10498129 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/68407700:21460/25:00390008 RIV/00216208:11130/25:10498129

Result on the web

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=CTBRt.IVwQ" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=CTBRt.IVwQ</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JS9.0000000000002538" target="_blank" >10.1097/JS9.0000000000002538</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Efficacy of high-energy, focused ESWT in treatment of lumbar facet joint pain: a randomized sham-controlled trial

Original language description

OBJECTIVE: Lumbar facet joints (FJ) are a common source of chronic low back pain (LBP). Focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has demonstrated potential in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders due to its deeper tissue penetration and safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESWT in the management of lumbar facet joint pain. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trial was conducted in 128 patients with chronic lumbar facet syndrome confirmed by medial branch block. Patients were randomized to receive either focused ESWT (Group A, n = 64; 0.35 mJ/mm2, 1200 shocks/session = 600 shocks per segment, 5 weekly sessions) or sham therapy (Group B, n = 64). Pain intensity (VAS), disability (ODI), and neuropathic pain features (PainDETECT questionnaire) were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 months. Lumbar spine MRI was performed at baseline and 6 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Group A showed significant reductions in VAS scores at 6 and 12 months (mean 64.4% reduction at 12 months, p&lt;0.01), with an effect size (Cohen&apos;s d = 1.12). ODI decreased by 42.3% in Group A compared to 12.5% in the sham group. Neuropathic pain symptoms improved significantly only in Group A (PD-Q reduction from 18.3 +- 2.4 to 10.2 +- 1.9; p&lt;0.01). MRI follow-up demonstrated resolution of bone marrow edema in 58.8% of ESWT-treated patients versus none in the control group. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: High-energy focused ESWT is a safe and effective non-invasive therapy for chronic lumbar facet joint pain, showing sustained improvements in pain, function, and neuropathic symptoms. MRI findings support its biological effect on joint-related bone marrow edema. ESWT represents a promising alternative to interventional pain procedures.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

30306 - Sport and fitness sciences

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

International Journal of Surgery

ISSN

1743-9191

e-ISSN

1743-9159

Volume of the periodical

111

Issue of the periodical within the volume

7

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

10

Pages from-to

4177-4186

UT code for WoS article

001530842000017

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105013041876