Interfascial Infiltration for Acute Unspecific Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department

Interfascial Infiltration to Relieve Functional Impairment in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department for Acute Unspecific Low Back Pain: a Prospective Comparative Feasibility Study

Pain relief and functional impairment have been shown to remain poor to moderate over weeks after emergency department discharge, in patients who seek ED management for acute nontraumatic, nonradicular low back pain.

The investigators made the hypothesis that ultrasound-guided interfascial infiltration of local anesthesics and corticoid is efficient and safe in treating patients presenting to the ED with acute non specific low back pain. The investigators aimed to compare early and short term functional impairment and pain relief one day and 1 week after interfacial infiltration, as compared to standard medical treatment

This is a single center observational feasibility study enrolling ED patients presenting with acute unspecific low back pain.

Ultrasound-guided interfascial infiltration is proposed to eligible patients presenting to our ED with low back pain and disability, as part of routine care. Patients receive standard medical treatment if they refuse interfascial infiltration or in case of absence or unavailability of a trained operator.

Patients were followed-up at 1 day and 7-days pots ED discharge by telephone interview conducted by an independent member of our research team not involved in patient's management

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults aged between 18 and 70 years old
• presenting to the ED for low back pain from musculoskeletal origin, with symptoms evolving for less than 6 weeks,
• a score of 3 or more in the numeric pain scale (0-10)
• a score of 5 or greater on the Rolland Morris Disability Questionary (scale 0-24, RMDQ).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Traumatic or radicular pain or low back pain from alternative etiology
• allergy to local anesthetics
• Blood coagulation disorders
• Patients for whom follow-up by telephone interview was not possible
• Patients already enrolled in the study