Overview
There are many patients coming daily to our office with the complaint of chronic lumbosacral pain radiating or not to the legs that need a proper diagnosis before any treatment is decided. The diagnosis, based mostly on radiological exams, carries a risk of failure to diagnose the sacroiliac joint as the cause of the pain. The study proposes that a quick interrogatory followed by a physical exam with the adequate provocative testing can raise the suspicion of the diagnosis that the pain is originating from the sacroiliac joint. Thereafter, a diagnostic sacroiliac joint block can be performed. The study aims to correlate findings from patient history and physical examination with eventual diagnosis.
Description
This is a prospective cohort study of patients seeking care for chronic low back pain. All patients will undergo a detailed history and physical examination, followed by other indicated diagnostic testing. The analysis will correlate findings from patient history and physical examination testing with the eventual diagnosis. The goal of the study is to identify key historical and physical examination criteria that raise the suspicion for sacroiliac joint pain, which is commonly underdiagnosed. Failure to diagnose a health condition could lead to inappropriate surgery.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patient being evaluated in clinic for chronic low back or buttocks pain with or without radiation to the legs
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patient has already undergone surgery for the condition of interest
- Inflammatory condition
- Active cancer