Percutaneous image-guided pain procedures for low back pain in an Australian suburban primary care centre: findings from a retrospective single-year audit.

AIMS: To describe the incidence, indications and outcomes of percutaneous image-guided pain procedures (PIGPPs) for low back pain (LBP) in an Australian suburban primary care centre.

BACKGROUND

PIGPPs are widely used in secondary and tertiary care for LBP but there is little information about their use in primary care.

METHODS

A retrospective audit in an Australian city suburban primary care centre, during 2022.

FINDINGS: Of 2828 patients coded with terms relating to LBP 673 had a consultation for LBP and 90 (13%: 95% CI 11-16%) had a PIGPP. These patients were significantly (p < 0.001) older and more likely (p < 0.001) to have chronic lower limb pain. Outcome documentation by GPs was high (87%: 95% CI 75-95%) but subjective. Future studies of PIGPPs for LBP in primary care should address deficiencies in objective patient assessment to facilitate evaluation of their appropriateness and both clinical and cost effectiveness.