©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Anesthesiol. Nov 27, 2015; 4(3): 49-57
Published online Nov 27, 2015. doi: 10.5313/wja.v4.i3.49
Published online Nov 27, 2015. doi: 10.5313/wja.v4.i3.49
Zygapophysial joint pain in selected patients
Stephan Klessinger, Department of Neurosurgery, Nova Clinic Biberach, 88400 Biberach, Germany
Stephan Klessinger, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
Author contributions: Klessinger S solely contributed to this paper; he wrote the complete manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No conflict of interest is declared by the author.
Correspondence to: Stephan Klessinger, MD, Department of Neurosurgery, Nova Clinic Biberach, Eichendorffweg 5, 88400 Biberach, Germany. klessinger@nova-clinic.de
Telephone: +49-7351-44030 Fax: +49-7351-440311
Received: May 3, 2015
Peer-review started: May 7, 2015
First decision: July 30, 2015
Revised: September 2, 2015
Accepted: September 10, 2015
Article in press: September 16, 2015
Published online: November 27, 2015
Processing time: 209 Days and 20.5 Hours
Peer-review started: May 7, 2015
First decision: July 30, 2015
Revised: September 2, 2015
Accepted: September 10, 2015
Article in press: September 16, 2015
Published online: November 27, 2015
Processing time: 209 Days and 20.5 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This review emphasizes the importance of the zygapophysial joints (z-joints) as a pain generator. Taking the historic or the physical examination are not helpful in identifying z-joint pain. The prevalence of z-joint pain increases with age, and it often comes along with other pain sources. The focus is on the significance of z-joint pain in elaborated patient groups in which z-joint pain is clinically relevant but does not occur as an isolated and independent disease. Diagnostic methods and the treatment with radiofrequency neurotomy are discussed.