Is The Continued Use of Predictive Testing in Pain Interventions Justified?

4:00-5:30 PM Saturday, Jan. 14

Predictive tests before pain interventions such as SCS, ITDD, and RF continue to be practiced and recommended as the mainstay of patient selection. The session will explore the evidence for trials before SCS, ITDD, and the performance of medial branch blocks. The main questions to answer will be: Do the tests have a predictive value? What is the patient benefit of these tests? What is the evidence of harm from the tests if any? And what is the evidence for cost-effectiveness?

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Examine the evidence for predictive testing.
  • Discuss the predictive value of the tests.
  • Indicate patient benefit vs. harms of tests.
  • Identify evidence of improved cost-effectiveness from testing, if any.

Screening Trials Before SCS What Is the Long-Term Patient Benefit?

Sam Eldabe, MB ChB FRCA FFMPRCA

Are Trials Justified Before ITDD for Chronic Pain?

Salim M. Hayek, MD PhD

What Is the Role and Evidence for Medial Branch Blocks Before RF for Facet Joint Pain?

Lynn Kohan, MD

Faculty subject to change.

Faculty:

Sam Eldabe, MB ChB FRCA FFMPRCA

Salim M. Hayek, MD PhD

Lynn Kohan, MD

Moderators:

Simon J. Thomson, MBBS FRCA FIPP FFPMRCA

Salim M. Hayek, MD PhD