Instrumental methods for assessing the state of the paravertebral lumbar muscles in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy and nonspecific muscle-skeletal pain

Abstract

Neurological examination plays the main role in diagnostic and management of radiculopathies. In addition, the instrumental methods could be used for diagnosis of the morphological and functional state of paraspinal muscles. Paraspinal muscles are symmetrical back muscles surrounding the spinal column and supporting it. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as needle electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound are used for instrumental diagnosis of paraspinal muscles conditions. We provide the review on the current scope of studies on radiculopathies and non-specific back pain. MRI is the principle standard for radiculopathy diagnosis, but other methods such as muscle ultrasound and needle electromyography are also used here. MRI is characterized by a high cost, and it is impossible to carry it out if there are magnetic objects present in the patient’s body. EMG and ultrasound both are not sufficient enough to study the level of the fatty replacement of the paraspinal muscle, while this parameter is quite significant for measuring a radiculopathy outcome. Thus, we consider it rational to recommend using these methods in combination. Indications for the combined examination may be such complex cases as anatomical anomalies of spinal roots, atypical disease pattern.