Jay Karri1, Mani Singh2, Vwaire Orhurhu3, Mihir Joshi4, Alaa Abd-Elsayed5. 1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. jaykarri@gmail.com. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA. 3. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Division of Pain, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 4. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA. 5. Department of Anesthesia, Division of Pain Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the cluneal nerves, present a summary of pain syndromes secondary to clunealgia, and evaluate current literature for diagnostic and treatment modalities. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple trials and studies have reported success with numerous modalities ranging from nerve blocks, neuroablation, and even peripheral neuromodulation with varying degrees of clinical benefit. Cluneal nerve entrapment or chronic impingement can cause buttock pain or referred pain to nearby areas including the lower back, pelvic area, or even the lower extremities. Clunealgias and associated pain syndromes can often be challenging to diagnose and differentiate. An appreciation of the pathophysiology of clunealgias can assist with patient selection for interventional pain strategies targeted towards the cluneal nerves, including nerve blocks, neuroablation, and peripheral neuromodulation. More research is needed to better delineate the efficacy of these procedures for clunealgias.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the cluneal nerves, present a summary of pain syndromes secondary to clunealgia, and evaluate current literature for diagnostic and treatment modalities. RECENT FINDINGS: Multiple trials and studies have reported success with numerous modalities ranging from nerve blocks, neuroablation, and even peripheral neuromodulation with varying degrees of clinical benefit. Cluneal nerve entrapment or chronic impingement can cause buttock pain or referred pain to nearby areas including the lower back, pelvic area, or even the lower extremities. Clunealgias and associated pain syndromes can often be challenging to diagnose and differentiate. An appreciation of the pathophysiology of clunealgias can assist with patient selection for interventional pain strategies targeted towards the cluneal nerves, including nerve blocks, neuroablation, and peripheral neuromodulation. More research is needed to better delineate the efficacy of these procedures for clunealgias.