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

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Facet Joint Arthropathy; Pain; Osteoarthritis

• Registration Number: NCT06965452
• Lead Sponsor: Northwell Health

Brief Summary

This single-site, single-arm study evaluates the feasibility, safety, tolerability, and efficacy of trans-arterial embolization (TAE) using Embozene microparticles for treating facetogenic pain due to facet arthropathy (osteoarthritis of the facet joints) in the lumbar spine.

Detailed Description

This is a single site, single-arm study assessing the feasibility, safety, tolerability, and efficacy of trans-arterial embolization for the treatment of facet pain due to facet arthropathy. Osteoarthritis is a common and major cause of pain and disability. Each spinal level contains multiple joints including the intervertebral discs as well as the facet joints. Degeneration of the facet joints or facet arthritis begins early in life and the prevalence grows with increasing age ultimately reaching as high as 100% in people over 60 years of age. Facet arthritis can lead to the development of facetogenic pain. Previous studies have suggested that trans-arterial embolization may be beneficial for pain in the setting of osteoarthritis. Trans-arterial injections have been described in the knee, hip, and shoulder.

Embolization of the dorsal branches of the segmental arteries supplying the bony elements of the spine is a well-established technique employed for preoperative embolization of bony spinal tumors and metastatic disease. Previous studies have clearly demonstrated safety of the techniques with low overall risk. In one large series of 100 embolizations there was only one recorded complication due to the embolization. However, it has not been described for use in the setting of facet arthropathy (OA of the facet joint). The PI for this study has published the results of large series of embolization for spinal tumors without any serious adverse events. Currently the treatment of lumbar spine OA involved medical management, followed by minimally invasive techniques such as intraarticular injection and neurolysis, which are of questionable efficacy, and ultimately possible spinal surgery and fusion in the setting of degenerative disease and structural abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the safety and preliminary efficacy of trans-arterial facet joint embolization using Embozene microparticles in patients with facet arthropathy and lumbar spine OA.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-23
• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-01
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-11
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-11
• Study Start: 2025-07-01
• Primary Completion: 2026-07-01
• Study Completion: 2026-07-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

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.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Procedure-Related Serious Adverse Events in the Perioperative Period	1 year	The primary outcome measurements for safety are: -The number of procedure-related serious adverse events occurring in the perioperative period

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Proportion of Patients with >20% Improvement in Facetogenic Pain Based on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)	1 year	Secondary endpoints include: - \>20% improvement of facetogenic pain based on visual analog pain scale before and after the procedure
Proportion of Patients with >20% Improvement in Disability Based on Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire	1 year	Secondary endpoints include:- \>20% improvement in disability based on Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

North Shore University Hospital; 🇺🇸 Manhasset, New York, United States