Predictive Factors for LBP Interventional Treatment Outcomes

In this study, we are attempting to determine which factors are associated with interventional treatment outcome for LBP (and to what extent). Up to 346 patients with LBP who are considered to be good candidates for therapeutic interventional procedures will be given a complete history and physical exam, which includes the assessment of Waddell signs, and querying them regarding factors shown in non-interventional studies or retrospective studies evaluating interventional treatments to be associated with negative treatment outcomes. These factors include the presence of Waddell and other physical exam signs, opioid use, allergies, psychopathology, concomitant pain conditions, a 6-point Likert scale on expectations, sleep abnormalities, secondary gain (e.g. medical board or litigation), procedure-related pain including from a 1 ml standardized injection, obesity, and smoking history. They will then proceed to undergo their scheduled intervention, which will be limited to epidural steroid injections (ESI), facet blocks and if positive, radiofrequency denervation, and sacroiliac (SI) joint injections. A positive outcome will be defined as 2-point or greater decrease in average pain score at 1-month and a score of \> 3 on a 1-5 Likert satisfaction scale. Those with a positive outcome at 1-month will remain in the study and be followed again at 3-months.