The Reasons for the Rejection of Spinal Interventional Pain Management Techniques in Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain

Abstract

We investigated the reasons for the rejection of spinal interventional pain management techniques (SIPMT) in patients with lower back pain. The patients included in the study applied to an algology outpatient clinic with complaints of chronic lower back pain and were recommended SIPMT. The demographic data, systemic diseases, diagnoses, suggested SIPMT, and reasons why certain patients refused SIPMT, were all evaluated. Among the 196 patients who were recommended SIPMT, 61 (31.1%) refused the treatment. The most common reasons for refusing SIPMT was a belief that the injection would not be a definitive solution (63.9%), belief that the pain would recur after the injection (55.7%), the inability to avoid work that would strain the lower back after the injection (39.3%), and the fear that the pain would worsen (37.7%). Patients have a wide range of concerns about SIMPT. If the wide range of concerns patients have about SIMPT can be more comprehensively considered, refusal of such treatments due to unnecessary concerns can be prevented.