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Metadata

Name
Sensory Mapping of Lumbar Facet Joint Pain
Repository
ClinicalTrials.gov
Identifier
clinicaltrials:NCT03323775
Description
Low back pain is a major contributor to the chronic pain burden in the community. Although
there are numerous pain generators in the spine, lumbar facet joints are one of the most
common sources of pain. A variety of measures such as physiotherapy, oral analgesics and
minimally invasive injections are used to treat lumbar facet joint pain.

Facet joint steroid injections and radiofrequency denervations of the facet joint are the
most commonly performed minimally invasive pain procedures for lumbar facet joint pain.
Radiofrequency denervation is carried out by thermal lesioning of the medial branches that
supply the facet joints. Conventionally two medial branches have been shown to innervate one
facet joint and based on this, the norm is to lesion two nerves to denervate one facet joint.
However, there is some variation in the nerve supply which may account for failure or false
negative results of the diagnostic blocks.

The aim of the present study is to explore the feasibility of sensory mapping, thereby
referral pattern of the lumbar medial branches using suprathreshold stimulation and to
correlate the referral patterns with painful areas in the back and leg. It will also test if
the present method of lesioning two nerves to denervate one facet joint is appropriate.
Data or Study Types
clinical trial
Source Organization
Unknown
Access Conditions
available
Year
2017
Access Hyperlink
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03323775

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