Needle electromyogram (EMG), a relatively low-tech and inexpensive test in use since World War II, may be making a comeback. The old test may be more effective than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at detecting an increasingly common cause of back pain known as spinal stenosis, according to a new study led by Andrew Haig, MD, an associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.
Marked by a narrowing of spaces in the spine, spinal stenosis results in pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. As a result, people with spinal stenosis experience debilitating back pain or even paralysis, if it’s left untreated. Close to 400,000 Americans have this condition, and the number is expected to increase as more baby boomers hit their 50s and 60s.
An EMG can help doctors better differentiate spinal stenosis from other conditions, like arthritis, herniated discs or peripheral nerve disease, and stave off unnecessary exploratory back surgery, explains Dr. Haig. MRIs tend to show arthritis, because most people older than 50 have some degeneration of their vertebrae, when the pain might really be due to spinal stenosis.
The new study followed 150 people who had low back pain but no MRI evidence of spinal stenosis, varying severity of spinal stenosis or symptoms of either condition. Each patient was examined by a doctor and had an MRI. Then physiatrists, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists came to a unanimous diagnosis about each patient’s condition. Following the diagnosis, the people had EMG testing and results were compared against the initial diagnosis. EMG clearly determined spinal stenosis diagnosis from other causes of low back pain.
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Symtoms: Facial pain (sinus), ear pain and throat pain mainly on my right side. The pain seemed to move around these areas. My doctor figured I had a bacterial infection in my sinus.
I am an R.A. patient. Since I have R.A. I don't know if my symtoms are from R.A. or an infection. I take methatrexat. injuctions weekly. My doctor wants me to go to an ear,nose, and throat doctor?
I think I should go to my R.A. Doctor. HELP!
I was about 17 years old. I was born in 1950's & lived with well water. I've had to undergo various dental work for very soft teeth, and have very dry cuitcals most of my life.
Since 1996 I've under gone a total of 6 spine surgeries. the first was a fusion of C-6-C7. Six months after the 1st surgery I herniated above this fusion Three years later I incurred the flattening of my spinal cord in the above 3 spaces, needing a second fusion with an atlas plate from C6-5; C5-4;& C4-C3. I am still pagued with pain in my neck & the muscles around that area & pain down my arms.
After a fall in 1999 onto my tail bone the severe leg pain began and another spine surgery was needed only this time, it was S5-L5. 2 years after that, another fusion at L4-5 & L4-L3, another 2 years went by needing another fusion at L3-L2. During the 1st 6 weeks after the last surgery I fractured the L1 area I had to wait 6 months after this fracture to undergo another MRI to see what the real problem was. The last spine surgery was a total reconstruction of spine from T-10 through S1 with a wedge resection osteotomy @ L1-L2 area. I've had numerous nerve damage from all of these procedures plus had to have surgery's to correct bilateral carpel tunnel torn ligaments in both knees, the right one has been done twice and bilateral "tennis elbow". I've only been told that I have severe Spinal Stenosis & Degenerative joint disease
What I'm wondering is do you think I have some kind of connective tissue disease as well that continues to cause these problems. And is there anything I can do to lessen further problems? Is there any research studies for other patients like me. I've been told that one of my uncle's also had numerous spinal spurs that plagued him all his life,his oldest has had many of the same surgeries I've had. I know my sister also had flat back syndrome by observation as I've also had both failed back surgeries with flat back syndrome too so I believe there must be some kind of familuar tendencies. Hope you can answer my questions
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