The Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Infiltrations Combined with Early Rehabilitation in the Management of Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Low back pain is a prevalent condition affecting 60–85% of individuals during their lifetime. Despite various proposed mechanisms, the etiology of low back pain remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining ultrasound-guided infiltrations with early rehabilitation in reducing pain and improving functional limitations in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted, reviewing data from January to April 2024 involving 40 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Each patient received two cycles of ultrasound-guided lidocaine and corticosteroid infiltrations at the level of the posterior lower iliac spine, followed by 10 rehabilitation sessions. Patients were assessed at baseline (T0), after the first treatment cycle (T1), and after the second cycle (T2) using the Oswestry Disability Index, Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, Roland Disability Questionnaire, and Numeric Rating Scale. Results: Significant improvements were observed across all assessment scales. The ODI scores decreased from 33.5 at baseline to 3.5 after treatment (p Conclusions: The integration of ultrasound-guided infiltrations with early rehabilitation is highly effective in managing chronic nonspecific low back pain, significantly reducing both pain and functional limitations.

Keywords

• ultrasound therapy
• rehabilitation
• chronic pain
• musculoskeletal disorders
• pain management