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Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Pain Disorders pp 69–84Cite as

Botulinum Neurotoxins and Chronic Low Back Pain

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Abstract

Chronic low back pain is a common condition with diverse etiologies. It is a major cause of functional impairment and disability. In recent years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of low back pain has improved significantly especially in regard to the contribution of dorsal root ganglia and pain mediators. The treatment of chronic low back pain is challenging. Most drugs have limited or short-term efficacy, and many produce undesirable side effects. In animal models, botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have shown analgesic effects through different mechanisms. In human, onaA is effective in chronic migraine, and data suggests efficacy in other forms of neuropathic pain. Using the same dose and technique (multilevel injection into erector spinae), one class II (double blind, placebo controlled) and one prospective, 16-month, open-label study have provided evidence of possible efficacy (level C) in chronic low back pain. Future studies should focus on etiologically distinct subgroups of patients with chronic LBP and take advantage of using the dose and techniques that have already shown promising results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botulinum Toxin Treatment Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Bahman Jabbari (Professor of Neurology and Director)

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  1. Bahman Jabbari
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Jabbari, B. (2015). Botulinum Neurotoxins and Chronic Low Back Pain. In: Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Pain Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2501-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2501-8_5

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2500-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2501-8

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