Abstract
Clinical electrophysiological studies were analysed in 60 consecutive patients with back pain with or without other evidence for a radiculopathy. These studies included needle EMG of relevant limb and paraspinal muscles as well as F responses and H reflexes recorded from the soleus muscle. Segmental denervation was found in 29 of the 60 patients. In 57 patients, abnormal slowing of the F response was present in 27, either unilaterally (25) or bilaterally (two). In 18 of 47 patients with H reflex studies, the H reflex was either unilaterally absent (12), asymmetrically prolonged (five), or bilaterally prolonged (one). Statistically significant (P less than 0.05) associations were found between (1) abnormalities of H reflexes and F responses, (2) F response slowing and radicular injury shown by EMG, (3) segmentally consistent radiographic defects and abnormalities of both H reflexes and F responses, and (4) depressed Achilles reflexes as well as sensory loss and abnormal H reflexes. No significant association, however, was present between abnormalities of EMG, F responses, or H reflexes and pain radiation by history or positive straight leg-raising tests. These data suggest that pain in radicular syndromes is related to the functioning of smaller afferent fibres.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Braddom R. I., Johnson E. W. Standardization of H reflex and diagnostic use in Sl radiculopathy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1974 Apr;55(4):161–166. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MAGLADERY J. W., PORTER W. E., PARK A. M., TEASDALL R. D. Electrophysiological studies of nerve and reflex activity in normal man. IV. The two-neurone reflex and identification of certain action potentials from spinal roots and cord. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1951 Jun;88(6):499–519. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mayer R. F., Feldman R. G. Observations on the nature of the F wave in man. Neurology. 1967 Feb;17(2):147–156. doi: 10.1212/wnl.17.2.147. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McLeod J. G., Wray S. H. An experimental study of the F wave in the baboon. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1966 Jun;29(3):196–200. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.29.3.196. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]