The interrater reliability of the novel Udby classification of Modic Changes: A first estimate.

Background: Modic change grading is heterogeneous, inconsistent, and lacks a single nomenclature across the published literature. A new method of Modic change classification has been established by Dr. Peter Udby which hopes to unify how Modic changes are classified while also adding grading of the cranial/caudal extent of the Modic change across the vertebral body from the respective endplate involved to best capture the clinically relevant information of Modic changes.

Cervical medial branch block progression to radiofrequency neurotomy: A retrospective clinical audit.

Background: Chronic axial neck pain (CANP) due to zygapophysial joint arthropathy is best diagnosed via cervical medial branch block (MBB). However, the paradigm by which MBB is used to select patients for cervical radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is contested. Dual diagnostic cervical MBB with a minimum of ≥80% pain relief to diagnose cervical zygapophysial joint pain has been accepted by some Medicare Local Coverage Determinations as the method for selecting patients for cervical RFN.

Lumbar medial branch block progression to radiofrequency neurotomy: A retrospective audit of clinical practice.

Introduction: Chronic axial low back pain due to zygapophysial joint arthropathy is best diagnosed via lumbar medial branch block (MBB). However, the paradigm by which MBB is used to select patients for lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is contested. Dual diagnostic lumbar MBB with a minimum of ≥80% pain relief to diagnose lumbar zygapophysial joint pain are accepted by some Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) as the method for selecting patients for RFN for the management of lumbar zygapophysial joint pain.