Visit Stryker's patient-focused website for minimally invasive solutions that relieve chronic back pain
Assessment & Diagnosis
Assessment & Diagnosis
The most definitive diagnosis for determining a patient's pain can be made by a medial branch block.[1] There are no features, on history or examination, whereby lumbar facet joint pain can be diagnosed clinically nor can it be diagnosed by CT. Diagnostic blocks are the only means by which the source of a patient’s pain can be traced to their facet joints.[2] Single diagnostic blocks have been shown to be associated with a high false-positive rate.[3]To reduce the likelihood of false-positive responses, two or more blocks are required. The essential indication that the facet joint is causing the pain is at least 80% relief of pain following repeated controlled diagnostic blocks of the target medial branch.[1]
