Clinical Outcome of Medial Branch Block in Geriatric
Patients With Low Back Pain

, Sung Bum Kim; , Young Jin Lim; , Jang Seon You, Seok Geun Choi; , Bong Jin Park, Tae Sung Kim; , Bong Arm Rhee

Clinical Article

Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery 2007;3(1):57-60.
Published online June 30, 2007.

Clinical Outcome of Medial Branch Block in Geriatric Patients With Low Back Pain

Sung Bum Kim , Young Jin Lim , Jang Seon You, Seok Geun Choi , Bong Jin Park, Tae Sung Kim , Bong Arm Rhee

Department of Neurosurgery, Kyung-Hee University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Objective
In the management of patients with low back pain, medial branch mlock (MBB) is now a common procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Persistent low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common pain conditions in the geriatric patients. However, their causes of are reported to be complicated than younger patients. Aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome of medial branch blocks in geriatric patients.
Methods
A total of 88 patients with back pain were treated recently in one year period. Among them, 47 patients over than 60 years old at the time of procedure were included in this study. We reviewed the medical records with regards to the duration of symptoms, outcome evaluation with Macnab's classification, and complications.
Results
Mean age was 69.8 years.The mean duration of symptom was 48 weeks (1～240). We regarded the excellent and good clinical results, according to the Macnab's classification as successful clinical outcome. Recurrent cases were classified as poor outcome. The clinical successful outcome was seen in 51.1% of patients. With regards to the outcome according to type of pain, patients who had back pain only showed slightly more improved results than patients who had both radiating pain and back pain. There were no complications related to the procedures.
Conclusion
Although only about half of patients showed significant long term benefits from MBB, it is considered an useful treatment option in patients refractory to conservative treatments and continue to suffer disabling pain.

Key Words: LumbarㆍBack painㆍGeriatric population