ABPS Interventional Pain Management study plan
ABPS Interventional Pain Management · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Spinal Injections and Procedures & Pain Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
Map spinal anatomy (vertebral levels, ligamentous and epidural spaces, neural foramina) onto needle trajectories for interlaminar, transforaminal, and facet approaches
Compare corticosteroid formulations and particulate versus non-particulate risk profiles for epidural use, citing concentration and dose thresholds
Draft a decision algorithm distinguishing epidural, facet, and medial branch targets by pain distribution and provocation findings
Explain the physiologic basis of radicular versus axial pain and how each predicts response to targeted injection
Your checkpoint
One-page spinal injection decision algorithm with anatomy annotations and drug-selection rationale
Spinal Injections and Procedures & Interventional Diagnostic Procedures
Sequence the steps of medial branch blocks, facet injections, and sacroiliac injections including landmarking and imaging confirmation
Differentiate diagnostic from therapeutic injection design, specifying local anesthetic choice, volume, and response criteria
Interpret concordant versus discordant response patterns after controlled diagnostic blocks
Identify indications and contraindications for vertebral augmentation and kyphoplasty
Your checkpoint
Written protocol cards for three spinal procedures with block-interpretation rules
Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis & Pain Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
Construct a structured pain history framework covering onset, quality, temporal pattern, and red-flag screening
Correlate neuropathic, nociceptive, and nociplastic mechanisms with examination findings and expected treatment response
Perform and document a dermatomal and myotomal neurologic screen for common radicular syndromes
Select imaging and electrodiagnostic studies appropriately, articulating when each adds diagnostic value
Your checkpoint
Completed differential-diagnosis worksheet for five simulated radicular and neuropathic presentations
Pharmacology and Medical Management of Pain & Peripheral Nerve and Joint Blocks
Compare mechanism, dosing, and adverse-effect profiles across opioid, non-opioid, adjuvant, and topical analgesic classes
Justify opioid initiation, rotation, and tapering decisions using equianalgesic principles and risk stratification
Outline indications and landmark technique for major peripheral nerve and joint blocks including genicular, suprascapular, and ilioinguinal approaches
Match adjuvant agents to neuropathic pain phenotypes and state monitoring requirements
Your checkpoint
Pharmacology comparison table plus a peripheral block indication-and-technique summary
Neuromodulation and Implantable Devices & Ablative and Regenerative Techniques
Distinguish spinal cord stimulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, and peripheral nerve stimulation by mechanism and patient selection criteria
Describe trial-to-implant decision criteria and programming troubleshooting for inadequate paresthesia coverage
Compare radiofrequency ablation modes and justify lesion parameters for medial branch and peripheral targets
Evaluate evidence and regulatory status for regenerative injectates such as platelet-rich plasma and orthobiologics
Your checkpoint
Neuromodulation versus ablation decision matrix with selection and troubleshooting criteria
Complications, Safety, and Risk Management & Practice Management and Regulatory Compliance
Rank procedural complications by frequency and severity, specifying prevention and immediate management for each
Apply anticoagulation and antithrombotic peri-procedural planning to neuraxial and deep peripheral procedures
Outline documentation, informed consent, and controlled-substance compliance requirements relevant to interventional practice
Describe infection-control and radiation-safety practices for fluoroscopically guided procedures
Your checkpoint
Complication-and-safety checklist covering anticoagulation, consent, and documentation standards
Rehabilitation, Behavioral, and Multidisciplinary Care & Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis
Integrate physical therapy, psychological, and interdisciplinary components into a multimodal pain plan
Apply cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based frameworks to chronic pain management goals
Assess functional and psychosocial outcomes using validated instruments and interpret scores for treatment planning
Recognize when behavioral health comorbidity alters procedural candidacy
Your checkpoint
Multidisciplinary care plan for a complex chronic pain case with outcome-measure selection
Patient Evaluation and Diagnosis & Pharmacology and Medical Management of Pain & Interventional Diagnostic Procedures & Spinal Injections and Procedures & Peripheral Nerve and Joint Blocks & Neuromodulation and Implantable Devices & Ablative and Regenerative Techniques & Complications, Safety, and Risk Management & Rehabilitation, Behavioral, and Multidisciplinary Care & Practice Management and Regulatory Compliance & Pain Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
Synthesize all domains into a timed full-length practice assessment and score by domain
Re-teach the two lowest-scoring domains using condensed summary notes
Recite high-yield safety thresholds, drug doses, and block-interpretation rules from memory
Build a final-week review schedule targeting persistent weak areas
Your checkpoint
Scored practice assessment with a written remediation plan for the two weakest domains
Milestones
Week 2: Correctly classify at least 8 of 10 mixed diagnostic block scenarios as concordant or discordant with stated next steps
Week 4: Score 75% or higher on a self-written 30-question quiz covering domains 1, 2, 4, 5, and 11
Week 6: Complete the complication-and-safety checklist and correctly answer all anticoagulation-timing items without reference
Week 8: Achieve 70% or higher overall on the full-length practice assessment with no domain below 60%