Trans-arterial Embolization for the Treatment of Facet Pain Due to Facet Arthropathy

Launched by NORTHWELL HEALTH · May 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a treatment called trans-arterial embolization (TAE) to help relieve pain caused by facet joint arthritis in the lower back. Facet joint arthritis is a common condition that can lead to persistent back pain, and this study aims to evaluate how safe and effective this new treatment is for people who haven't found relief from other pain management options.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be between 18 and 85 years old and have a confirmed diagnosis of facet joint arthritis, along with significant pain that has lasted for at least six months. They should have already tried other treatments, such as injections or other procedures, without success. The trial is not yet recruiting participants, but once it starts, those who join can expect to receive the TAE treatment and be monitored closely for their safety and pain relief. It's important to note that people with certain medical conditions, such as severe allergies or kidney issues, may not be able to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18-85
• • Confirmed diagnosis of spinal facet arthropathy on MRI OR CT
• • Confirmed diagnosis of lumbosacral facetogenic pain based on diagnostic nerve blocks.
• • Failed medical management of pain.
• • Back pain persistent for at least 6 months
• • Pain worse than at least 6/10 on a visual analog pain scale
• • Failed at least one of either intra-articular injections of steroids/ anesthetics or neuro-ablative procedure.
• • Maximum of 2 spinal levels of facetogenic pain in the lumbar and sacral spine (i.e. L4-5 and L5-S1).
• • Modified Rankin Scale 0-2
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • - Pregnancy
• • History of prior spinal embolization at the target level.
• • History of surgery/ stenting of the aorta at the level of embolization.
• • Severe allergic reaction to iodinated contrast (i.e. anaphylaxis)
• • Creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dl and/or creatinine clearance \< 60 mL/min (except if patients is already on hemodialysis).
• • Modified Rankin Scale \>2
• • Angiographic/ Procedural Exclusion Criterion: Vascular supply to the spinal cord from the vessels supplying the facet joints targeted for embolization.