Medical ozone therapy in facet joint syndrome: an overview of sonoanatomy, ultrasound-guided injection techniques and potential mechanism of action

3. Pain originating from the lumbar facet joints

INTRODUCTION

Pain originating from the lumbar facets can be defined as pain that arises from the innervated structures comprising the joint: the subchondral bone, synovium, synovial folds, and joint capsule. Reported prevalence rates range from 4.8% to over 50% among patients with mechanical low back pain, with diagnosis heavily dependent on the criteria employed. In well-designed studies, the prevalence is generally between 10% and 20%, increasing with age.

METHODS

The literature on the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar facet joint pain was retrieved and summarized.

RESULTS

There are no pathognomic signs or symptoms of pain originating from the lumbar facet joints. The most common reported symptom is uni- or bilateral (in more advanced cases) axial low back pain, which often radiates into the upper legs in a non-dermatomal distribution. Most patients report an aching type of pain exacerbated by activity, sometimes with morning stiffness. The diagnostic value of abnormal radiologic findings is poor owing to the low specificity. SPECT can accurately identify joint inflammation and has a predictive value for diagnostic lumbar facet injections. After "red flags" are ruled out, conservatives should be considered. In those unresponsive to conservative therapy with symptoms and physical examination suggesting lumbar facet joint pain, a diagnostic/prognostic medial branch block can be performed which remains the most reliable way to select patients for radiofrequency ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

Well-selected individuals with chronic low back originating from the facet joints may benefit from lumbar medial branch radiofrequency ablation.

Co-regulation of Sox9 and TGFβ1 transcription factors in mesenchymal stem cells regenerated the intervertebral disc degeneration

Background

Intervertebral disc (IVD) shows aging and degenerative changes earlier than any other body connective tissue. Its repair and regeneration provide a considerable challenge in regenerative medicine due to its high degree of infrastructure and mechanical complexity. Mesenchymal stem cells, due to their tissue resurfacing potential, represent many explanatory pathways to regenerate a tissue breakdown.

Methods

This study was undertaken to evaluate the co-regulation of Sox9 and TGFβ1 in differentiating human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) into chondrocytes. The combinatorial impact of Sox9 and TGFβ1 on hUC-MSCs was examined in vitro by gene expression and immunocytochemical staining. In in vivo, an animal model of IVD degeneration was established under a fluoroscopic guided system through needle puncture of the caudal disc. Normal and transfected MSCs were transplanted. Oxidative stress, pain, and inflammatory markers were evaluated by qPCR. Disc height index (DHI), water content, and gag content were analyzed. Histological examinations were performed to evaluate the degree of regeneration.

Results

hUC-MSC transfected with Sox9+TGFβ1 showed a noticeable morphological appearance of a chondrocyte, and highly expressed chondrogenic markers (aggrecan, Sox9, TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and type II collagens) after transfection. Histological observation demonstrated that cartilage regeneration, extracellular matrix synthesis, and collagen remodeling were significant upon staining with H&E, Alcian blue, and Masson's trichrome stain on day 14. Additionally, oxidative stress, pain, and inflammatory markers were positively downregulated in the animals transplanted with Sox9 and TGFβ1 transfected MSCs.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the combinatorial effect of Sox9 and TGFβ1 substantially accelerates the chondrogenesis in hUC-MSCs. Cartilage regeneration and matrix synthesis were significantly enhanced. Therefore, a synergistic effect of Sox9 and TGFβ1 could be an immense therapeutic combination in the tissue engineering of cartilaginous joint bio-prostheses and a novel candidate for cartilage stabilization.

Facet Joint Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Facet joint osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent form of facet joint syndrome. Medical history, referred pain patterns, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging studies (standard radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography) may suggest but not confirm lumbar facet joint (LFJ) syndrome as a source of low back pain (LBP). However, the diagnosis and treatment of facet joint syndrome is still controversial and needs further study. It is widely acknowledged that block with local anesthetic is perhaps the most effective method to establish a diagnosis of pain from LFJ. Particularly, there are different rates of success among different populations selected for diagnostic block with various positive criteria. Currently, in addition to conservative treatments for pain such as painkillers, functional exercises, and massage, there are many other methods, including block, denervation of the nerves that innervate the joints by radiofrequency, freezing or endoscopy, and injections. Due to the limited duration of pain relief from neurolysis of medial branch, many scholars have recently turned their targets to dorsal roots and LFJ capsules. Therefore, we reviewed the latest research progress of facet joint syndrome from diagnosis to treatment.

The Emerging Era of Interventional Imaging in Rheumatology: An Overview During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Imaging has long been taking its place in the diagnosis, monitor, and prognosis of rheumatic diseases. It plays a vital role in the appraisal of treatment. Key progress in the clinical practice of rheumatology is the innovation of advanced imaging modalities; such as musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These modalities introduced a promising noninvasive method for visualizing bone and soft tissues to enable an improved diagnosis. The use of MSUS in rheumatology is considered a landmark in the evolution of the specialty and its ease of use and many applications in rheumatic diseases make it a forerunner instrument in the practice. The use of MSUS among rheumatologists must parallel the development rate of the excellence revealed in the specialty. Moreover, innovative interventional imaging in rheumatology (III-R) is gaining fame and key roles in the near future for a comprehensive management of rheumatic diseases with precision. This review article throws light on the emergence of these robust innovations that may reshape the guidelines and practice in rheumatology, in particular, efforts to enhance best practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are endorsed.