Analysis of balance in adults with chronic axial spinal pain receiving medial branch block or radiofrequency ablation procedures.
Matthew Carter, John D Ralston, Robert Burnham and 4 others
PMID 41549751WHAT IT FOUND
People with chronic spinal pain had worse balance than healthy controls, especially with eyes closed.
Medial branch blocks did not improve this. However, procedures at the C2/3 level significantly increased sway. This suggests specific cervical levels affect balance, while others do not.
Key findings
01Participants with spinal pain had significantly worse balance (greater sway) than healthy controls in the eyes-closed condition, but not eyes-open.
02Procedures targeting the C2/3 spinal level caused a significant increase in postural sway after the intervention.
03Overall, medial branch blocks or radiofrequency ablations did not significantly change balance scores from pre-procedure to post-procedure for the group as a whole.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was not powered to detect small differences in specific sensory systems (visual vs. vestibular vs. proprioceptive). It only measured static balance; effects on walking or dynamic activities were not assessed. The sample was small and convenience-based, with no formal sample size calculation. Participants with other causes of pain (discogenic, radicular) were excluded, so results apply only to those suspected of facet-mediated pain.
Declared interests
One author is the founder and CEO of PROTXX, Inc., the company that makes the sensor used in the study. The other authors have no conflicts.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that pain relief from these procedures will automatically lead to better balance. The study found no link between pain reduction and balance improvement, and balance remained impaired even when pain decreased.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →