The frequency of superior cluneal nerve entrapment diagnosed with ultrasound‐guided nerve block in patients with low back pain: A prospective, cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionTo determine the frequency of superior cluneal nerve entrapment (SCN‐E) in patients who applied to our outpatient clinic with low back pain.MethodsTwo hundred patients with mechanical low back pain persisting more than 3 months were included in our study. All patients were evaluated with detailed clinical history and physical examination. Ultrasound‐guided diagnostic injection was performed in patients who had tenderness on the posterior iliac crest and whose main complaint emerged by pressing on this point. Patients with 70% or greater pain relief 1 h after the injection were considered as SCN‐E. The frequency and clinical features of SCN‐E were determined and compared with other mechanical low back pain.ResultsThe mean age of the patients included in our study was 48.56 ± 14.11 years, with 138 female and 62 male patients. The diagnostic injection was performed on 31 patients and considered positive in 24 of them. The frequency of SCN‐E was determined as 12%. The Hip‐Knee Flexion Test was determined to be more specific for SCN‐E than other causes of low back pain, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 41.67% and 88.64% (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). In addition, all demographic and clinical features in patients diagnosed with SCN‐E were found to be similar to other mechanical low back pain cases.ConclusionsIn patients with chronic low back pain, SCN‐E is not a rare cause and is often overlooked. Increasing the awareness and experience of physicians on SCN‐E will prevent patients from being exposed to unnecessary surgical or non‐surgical treatments.