Back Pain Back Pain Treatment and Therapy 2

Question 1

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is typically considered for which back pain patient population?

Accepted Answer

Failed back surgery syndrome with chronic neuropathic pain

Answer

SCS is used for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) when conservative and surgical treatments have not provided adequate relief.

Question 2

Which class of medication is recommended for neuropathic component of back pain (e.g., radiculopathy)?

Accepted Answer

Gabapentinoids (gabapentin/pregabalin)

Answer

Gabapentinoids reduce neuropathic pain by blocking voltage-gated calcium channels in sensitized neurons.

Question 3

Laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis aims to achieve which outcome?

Accepted Answer

Remove the lamina to decompress the spinal canal

Answer

Laminectomy removes part or all of the lamina to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve compression of neural structures.

Question 4

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for back pain targets which structure to interrupt pain signals?

Accepted Answer

Medial branch nerves supplying facet joints

Answer

RFA uses heat to ablate the medial branch nerves that innervate the facet joints, providing sustained pain relief.

Question 5

Which physical therapy modality uses electrical stimulation to reduce back pain and muscle spasm?

Accepted Answer

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Answer

TENS delivers low-voltage electrical currents through skin electrodes to modulate pain signals via gate control mechanisms.

Back Pain Practice Test