Posterior Branches of Lumbar Spinal Nerves – part II: Lumbar Facet Syndrome – Pathomechanism, Symptomatology and Diagnostic Work-up
Journal Title: Ortopedia Traumatologia Rehabilitacja - Year 2017, Vol 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Posterior branches of the lumbar spinal nerves are the anatomic substrate of pain in the lower back, sacrum and the gluteal area. Such pain may be associated with various pathologies which cause pain in the posterior branches of the lumbar spinal nerves due to entrapment, mechanical irritation or inflammatory reaction and/or degeneration. The posterior branches are of significant functional importance, which is related to the function of the structures they supply, including facet joints, which are the basic biomechanical units of the spine.Low back pain caused by facet joint pathology may be triggered e.g. by simple activities, such as body rotations, unnatural positions, lifting heavy weights or excessive bending as well as chronic overloading with spinal hyperextension.Pain usually presents at the level of the lumbosacral junction (L 5 -S 1 ) and in the lower lumbar spine (L 4-5 , L 3-4 ). In the absence of specific diagnostic criteria, it is only possible to conclude that patients display tenderness at the level of the affected facet joint and that the pain is triggered by extension. Differential diagnosis for low back pain is difficult, since the pain may originate from various structures. The most reliable method of identifying Lumbar Facet Syndrome has been found to be a positive response to an analgesic procedure in the form of a block of the medial branch or intraarticular injection.There appear to be good grounds for conducting further studies and developing unequivocal diagnostic tests.
Authors and Affiliations
Katarzyna Kozera, Bogdan Ciszek, Paweł Szaro
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP225687
- DOI -
- Views 81
- Downloads 0
METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ANKLE FRACTURES - THE OPINION OF MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE POLISH FOOT AND ANKLE SOCIETY
Abstract:1. Introduction. The present paper is based on a survey distributed among the participants of the 3rd Congress of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society in Jastarnia on April 22-24, 2010. Material and methods. A clin...
DIFFERENTIATING MASS DISASTERS THE BARZULLAH CLASSIFICATION
Background To assess the pattern of mass casualty incidents managed at our hospital over the last eight years, and evolve a differentiating classification based on this pattern. A combination of retrospective and prospec...
Long-term results of conservative treatment in Perthes’ disease
Background. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, due to its frequency and impact on hip function, is an important orthopedic issue. The goal of this research was to assess long-term outcome after conservative treatment in Perthes...
Low Grade Chondrosarcoma – Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment
The article describes epidemiology, clinical features and treatment strategy of chondrosarcoma with special regard to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in low grade chondrosarcomas. Chondrosarcomas account for 3.5-...
Zastosowanie ortoz w leczeniu rozwojowej dysplazji stawu biodrowego
Streszczenie. W leczeniu dysplazji stawu biodrowego okresie noworodkowym i niemowlęcym stosowane są ortozy odwiedzeniowe stawów biodrowych. Ortozy te wymuszają zgięcie bioder około 1000-1100 oraz odwiedzenie około 3-600....