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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Open Access 01-12-2004 | Research article

Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions

Authors: Laxmaiah Manchikanti, Mark V Boswell, Vijay Singh, Vidyasagar Pampati, Kim S Damron, Carla D Beyer

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2004

Abstract

Background

Facet joints are a clinically important source of chronic cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine pain. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the prevalence of facet joint pain by spinal region in patients with chronic spine pain referred to an interventional pain management practice.

Methods

Five hundred consecutive patients with chronic, non-specific spine pain were evaluated. The prevalence of facet joint pain was determined using controlled comparative local anesthetic blocks (1% lidocaine or 1% lidocaine followed by 0.25% bupivacaine), in accordance with the criteria established by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). The study was performed in the United States in a non-university based ambulatory interventional pain management setting.

Results

The prevalence of facet joint pain in patients with chronic cervical spine pain was 55% 5(95% CI, 49% – 61%), with thoracic spine pain was 42% (95% CI, 30% – 53%), and in with lumbar spine pain was 31% (95% CI, 27% – 36%). The false-positive rate with single blocks with lidocaine was 63% (95% CI, 54% – 72%) in the cervical spine, 55% (95% CI, 39% – 78%) in the thoracic spine, and 27% (95% CI, 22% – 32%) in the lumbar spine.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that in an interventional pain management setting, facet joints are clinically important spinal pain generators in a significant proportion of patients with chronic spinal pain. Because these patients typically have failed conservative management, including physical therapy, chiropractic treatment and analgesics, they may benefit from specific interventions designed to manage facet joint pain.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/5/15/prepub

Title: Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions
Authors: Laxmaiah Manchikanti
Mark V Boswell
Vijay Singh
Vidyasagar Pampati
Kim S Damron
Carla D Beyer
Publication date: 01-12-2004
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-5-15

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prevalence of facet joint pain in chronic spinal pain of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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