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

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

The purpose of this study is to determine

1. the prevalence of lumbar facet joint pain detected by manual segmental provocation tests
2. the prevalence of MRI findings of the lumbar facet joints (hypertrophy, effusion, edema)
3. 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.

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