The Evaluation of Correlation between Preoperative Electrophysiologic (EMG-NCV) Finding and Postoperative Outcomes in the Patients with Radicular Pain of Lumbar Disk Herniation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Neurosurgery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Electrophysiological studies play an important role in patients with neuro-muscular disorders. EMG needle test is by far the most used test to confirm the presence radiculopathy. Information obtained from these methods will allow other tests to effectively move in the right direction. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between preoperative electrophysiologic (EMG-NCV) finding and postoperative outcomes in the patients with radicular pain of lumbar disk herniation.
Subjects and Methods:  The study sample consisted patients with lumbar radicular pain who were referred to Golestan Hospital with MRI-proven vertebrae L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc involvement and without any other associated diseases. The preoperative and postoperative pain scores were scaled 0-10. Data from tape nerve-muscle and corelation with surgery were analyzed.
Results: 84.6% of patients had back pain, and only 30.8% of patients still complained of pain after surgery. The mean preoperative and postoperative pain scores were significantly reduced (P= 0.003). Postoperative results showed no change in H-reflex. The number and type of muscles involved, sex and age had no significant relationship with pain improvement.
Conclusion: The results showed that electrodiagnostic testing not only is a diagnostic aid in conjunction with other tests to confirm the involved nerve, but also a prognostic test in surgical treatment of radicular pain of lumbar disk herniation.
 

Keywords

References

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Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal
Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 95
May and June 2015
Pages 181-187

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History

  • Receive Date: 06 October 2014
  • Revise Date: 01 March 2015
  • Accept Date: 04 March 2015

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