Association Between Clinical Signs and MRI Findings of the Lumbar Facet Joints

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of lumbar facet joint pain detected by manual segmental provocation tests the prevalence of MRI findings of the lumbar facet joints (hypertrophy, effusion, edema) the association of lumbar facet joint pain and MRI findings on a segmental level in subjects with current low back pain and in a control group.

Official Title
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Association Between Clinical Signs Assessed by Manual Segmental Examination and Findings of the Lumbar Facet Joints in Magnetic-resonance Scans in Subjects With and Without Current Low Back - a Prospective Single-blinded Study

Conditions
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Low Back Pain, Facet Joint Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: MRI of the lumbar spine
* Other: manual segmental examination of the lumbar facet joints


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for both study groups: age > 18 written informed consent ability to perform required examinations Inclusion Criterion for current low back pain-group: - more than (>=) 30 days of low back pain in the last three months Inclusion Criterion for control group: - less than 30 days of low back pain in the last three months Exclusion Criteria for both study groups: acute radicular low back pain in the last three months claustrophobia spondylodesis of the lumbar spine any metallic implants which are not MRI-compatible

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| current low back pain<br>subjects with current low back pain (i.e. more than 30 days of low back pain in the last three months) | Other: MRI of the lumbar spine<br>* standard protocol, approximately 30 minutes<br>Other: manual segmental examination of the lumbar facet joints<br>* use of three different segmental facet joint provocation tests (spinal palpation, segmental rotation and springing-test) from Th12-L1 to L5-S1<br>|
| controls<br>subjects with less than 30 days of low back pain in the last three months | Other: MRI of the lumbar spine<br>* standard protocol, approximately 30 minutes<br>Other: manual segmental examination of the lumbar facet joints<br>* use of three different segmental facet joint provocation tests (spinal palpation, segmental rotation and springing-test) from Th12-L1 to L5-S1<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of facet joints per person which show facet joint pain and FJ effusion and/ or edema | association of facet joint pain and MRI facet joint findings is determined | 2 hours | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| number of painful facet joints per person | prevalence of facet joint pain assessed by manual segmental provocation tests | 2 hours | 
| number of facet joints diagnosed with facet joint effusion and/ or edema per person | prevalence of facet joint findings in the lumbar spine assessed by MRI (facet joint effusion and/ or facet joint edema) | 2 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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low back pain, facet joint pain