scholarly journals Indicators of Lumbar Zygapophyseal Joint Pain: Survey of an Expert Panel With the Delphi Technique

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 1348-1361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria E Wilde ◽  
Jon J Ford ◽  
Joan M McMeeken
Keyword(s):  
Expert Panel ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Transverse Process ◽  
Delphi Survey ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Facet Joint Injection ◽  
Preliminary Validation ◽  
Medial Branch Block ◽  
Classification And Treatment ◽  
Selection Of

Background and Purpose The lumbar zygapophyseal joints (LZJs) are thought to be a source of low back pain (LBP); however, no valid or reliable indicators exist. The purpose of this study was to obtain a consensus from an expert panel on the indicators of LZJ pain. Subjects A multidisciplinary panel of 20 experts in the field of LBP participated in this study. Methods A 3-round Delphi survey designed to obtain a consensus on the indicators of LZJ pain was completed by use of accepted protocols. Subjects also were asked to justify their selection of each indicator. Results Following the 3 rounds, consensus was achieved, and 12 indicators were identified. Those that reached the highest levels of consensus were a positive response to facet joint injection, localized unilateral LBP, positive medial branch block, pain upon unilateral palpation of the LZJ or transverse process, lack of radicular features, pain eased by flexion, and pain, if referred, located above the knee. Justifications for the experts’ selection of the indicators, predominantly based on pathoanatomical mechanisms, also were described. Discussion and Conclusion This Delphi survey identified 12 indicators of LZJ pain, each with an associated pathoanatomical mechanism justifying selection. This survey provides preliminary validation for these indicators, which will be of value in further research into the classification and treatment of LZJ pain.

Comparison of Intra-articular Thoracic Facet Joint Steroid Injection and Thoracic Medial Branch Block for the Management of Thoracic Facet Joint Pain

Spine ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Gyu Lee ◽  
Sang Ho Ahn ◽  
Yun Woo Cho ◽  
Kyung Hee Do ◽  
Sang Gyu Kwak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Joint Pain ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Steroid Injection ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Medial Branch Block ◽  
Facet Joint Pain

scholarly journals Improving Fluoroscopic Visualization for Lower Cervical Medial Branch Blocks with a Modified Swimmer’s View: A Technical Report

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (21;1) ◽  
pp. 303-308
Author(s):  
David Stolzenberg
Keyword(s):  
Facet Joint ◽  
Lateral View ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Zygapophyseal Joint ◽  
Target Zones ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Future Prospective Study ◽  
Medial Branch Block ◽  
Practice Methods

Background: Neural blockade of the cervical medial branches is a validated procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical zygapophyseal joint pain. Fluoroscopic visualization of the lower cervical medial branch target zones (CMBTZs) in lateral view is sometimes challenging or not possible due to the patient’s shoulders obscuring the target. Large shoulders and short necks often exacerbate the problem. Clear visualization is critical to accuracy and safety. Objective: We aim to describe a method for optimal fluoroscopic visualization of the lower CMBTZs using a modified swimmer’s view. Study Design: A technical report. Setting: A private practice. Methods: Discussion with accompanying fluoroscopic images of the cervical spine, focusing on the lateral aspects of the lower cervical articular pillars in both the traditional lateral view and modified swimmer’s view. Four authors served as volunteers for undergoing fluoroscopic x-rays in both views. Visualization of each lower CMBTZ was attempted and stored. The most caudal, clearly visualized levels were compared in both views for each participant. Results: Visualization of the lower CMBTZs can be successfully obtained with the modified swimmer’s view and in select patients is superior to a lateral view. Limitations: A limitation to this study is the design as a technical report. A future prospective study is warranted. Conclusions: Modified swimmer’s view can serve as a primary method of visualizing the lower CMBTZs or an alternate view when a lateral view is unable to clearly demonstrate target landmarks. This can improve the ease, accuracy, and safety of performing diagnostic cervical medial branch blocks (CMBBs). Key words: Swimmer’s view, cervical medial branch block, facet joint, fluoroscopy

Predictors of response to medial branch block, radiofrequency ablation or facet joint injections: a retrospective study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Javed ◽  
Jordan Chen ◽  
Billy Huh
Keyword(s):  
Radiofrequency Ablation ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Lumbar Facet Joint ◽  
Predictors Of Response ◽  
Medial Branch Block ◽  
Lumbar Facet ◽  
Joint Injections

Aim: Low back pain is a leading cause of patient disability in the USA. Our goal was to determine association between patient characteristics and their response to lumbar medial branch block, radiofrequency ablation of medial nerves or lumbar facet joint injections. Materials & methods: Medical records for the first 100 patients who underwent lumbar medial branch block, radiofrequency ablation of lumbar medial nerves or lumbar facet joint injections between 1 September 2019 and 31 March 2020 were reviewed and demographic data were recorded. Results: At the 3-month post-procedure visit, positive responders were significantly more likely to be non obese patients (BMI <30) and those with pain <5-years. Conclusion: Obesity and chronicity of pain certainly are found to be predictors of response to the above mentioned procedures.

scholarly journals Lumbar medial branch cryoneurolysis under ultrasound guidance: initial report of five cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 293
Author(s):  
Adrian Kastler ◽  
Nikolaus Kogl ◽  
Hannes Gruber ◽  
Elisabeth Skalla ◽  
ALexander Loizides
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Ultrasound Guidance ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Transverse Process ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Posterior Aspect ◽  
Initial Report ◽  
Facet Joint Pain

Aims: To assess the feasibility and preliminary results of ultrasound guided medial branch cryoneurolysis in the management of facet joint syndrome.Material and methods: Between March 2017 and August 2017, a total of 20 patients underwent medial branch blocks, 12 of which were positive. Five patients chose to participate in the study and 8 medial branch cryoneurolysis were performed. The primary endpoint of the study was the feasibility of the procedure. The secondary endpoint was the efficacy on pain assessed over the following year after the procedure.Results: Technical feasibility of cryoneurolysis under ultrasound guidance was 100%. Accurate needle positioning at the accurate target in the angle between the posterior aspect of the transverse process and the lateral aspect of the facet joint was achieved in all cases. Needle progression could be depicted with US guidance in all cases. Mean pre-procedural Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry disability Index scores were 6.8 (range 5-8) and 20.6 (range 12- 31), respectively. Follow up showed a decrease of Visual Analogue Scale score at one month (1.75, range 0-7), and at three months (1.75 range 0-3), Mean self-reported improvement at 6 months was 76% (60- 100%) and 77% at 12 months (50-100%). We report one case of failure at one month. No complications were noted during or after the procedure.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ultrasound is a valid imaging modality to perform lumbar medial branch cryoneurolysis. Initial results show that cryoneurolysis under ultrasound guidance appears as a safe and effective procedure in patients suffering for facet joint pain

The Benefit of Therapeutic Medial Branch Blocks after Cervical Operations

2010 ◽  
Vol 6;13 (6;12) ◽  
pp. 527-534
Author(s):  
Stephan Klessinger
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Medial Branch ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Medial Branch Block ◽  
Cervical Facet ◽  
Cervical Facet Joint

Background: Persistent neck pain is a common problem after surgery of the cervical spine. No therapy recommendation exists for these patients. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if a therapeutic medial branch block is a rational treatment for patients with postoperative neck pain after cervical spine operations. Study Design: Retrospective practice audit. Setting: Review of charts of all patients who underwent cervical spine operations for degenerative reasons during a time period of 3 years. Methods: Patients with persistent postsurgical pain were treated with therapeutic medial branch blocks (local anesthetic and steroid). A positive treatment response was defined if at least 80% reduction of pain could be achieved or if the patient was sufficiently satisfied with the relief. All patients with a minimum follow up time of 6 month were included. Results: Of the 312 operations performed, 128 were artificial disc operations, 125 were stand alone cages, and 59 were fusions with cage and plate. Persistent neck pain occurred in 33.3 % of the patients. There was no difference between the patients with neck pain and the whole group of patients. More than half of the patients with neck pain—52.9%—were treated successfully with therapeutic medial branch blocks. Since no further treatment was necessary, the initial treatment was considered successful. Nearly a third—32.2%—of the patients were initially treated successfully, but their pain recurred and further diagnostics and treatments were necessary. In this group of patients, significantly more with double level operations were found (P = 0.003). Patients not responding to the medial branch block were 14.9%. Limitations: This audit is retrospective and observational, and therefore does not represent a high level of evidence. However, to our knowledge, since this information has not been previously reported and no recommendation for the treatment of post-operative zygapophysial joint pain exists, it appears to be the best available research upon which to recommend treatment and to plan higher quality studies. Conclusions: For persistent postsurgical neck pain only limited therapy recommendations exist. This study suggests treating these patients in a first instance with therapeutic medial branch blocks. The success rate is 52.9 %. Key words: Chronic neck pain, cervical zygapophysial pain, cervical facet joint pain, medial branch blocks, therapeutical cervical facet joint nerve blocks, postsurgery syndrome, pain therapy Pain Physician

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