For interventional procedures that involve implanting devices or ablating tissues, it is common for patients to undergo prognostic tests to determine if they are responders prior to moving on to permanent procedures. However, definitions of responders and the number of prognostic tests necessary has caused some confusion. In this month’s RAPM Focus, Editor-in-Chief Brian Sites, MD, joins David Provenzano, MD, and Jozef Leech, to discuss their study “Evaluation of lumbar medial branch blocks: how does the second block influence progression to radiofrequency ablation?,” first published in July 2022 (https://rapm.bmj.com/content/47/12/719). In a single-center retrospective review, 224 patients with two consecutive local anesthetic-only blocks were examined for pain relief.

Dr. David Provenzano is president-elect of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. He is currently an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, is on the executive committee of the Western PA Surgery Center, and is a critical member of the editorial board at Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

Jozef Leech is a native of Johnstown, PA, and graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2020 with his Bachelor of Arts in biology. He completed 2 years of internship work with Dr. Provenzano at Pain Diagnostics and Interventional Care located in Pennsylvania. In August of 2022, Jozef started Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Independence, OH. He is an active member with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.