Learning Objectives: 1) To describe methods of evaluation of a patient complaining of back pain including history, focused physical exam, and imaging. 2) To describe the technique of common spinal injections and appropriate indications for such procedures along with patient selection. These procedures include but are not limited to discography, epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, facet joint blocks, sacral iliac joint blocks, and trigger point injections. 3) To review potential complications and to offer advice on avoiding problems and pitfalls.
Disclosure: (W.H.W. has been a member of training faculty for Oxatec, Stryker, Spinal Specialties, and Kyphon; J.M.M. is a consultant to Stryker Medical Corp and a stockholder in Kyphon Corp.)