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Research Abstract: Decreased Multifidus Muscle Activation with Facet Pain |
| TITLE: |
Interaction between the
porcine lumbar intervertebral disc, zygapophysial joints, and paraspinal muscles. |
| AUTHORS: |
Indahl A; Kaigle AM; Reikeras
O; Holm SH |
| AUTHOR AFFILIATION: |
Spine Clinic, Ostfold Central
Hospital, Fredrikstad, Norway. |
| SOURCE: |
Spine 1997 Dec
15;22(24):2834-40 |
| CITATION IDS: |
PMID: 9431619 UI: 98093687 |
| ABSTRACT: |
STUDY DESIGN: A porcine model
was used to study whether muscular activation in the paraspinal muscles caused by nerve
stimulation in the anulus fibrosus of a lumbar intervertebral disc could be altered by
saline injection into the zygapophysial (facet) joint. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate possible
mechanisms regarding the nerve pathways and interactions between the intervertebral disc,
zygapophysial joints, and the paraspinal musculature. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The
physiologic basis for chronic low back pain, including muscular spasm, is uncertain.
Although extensive research involving the lumbar motion segments and the surrounding
tissues has been performed, the neuromuscular connection has not been sufficiently
investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three adolescent pigs were used to measure the
electromyographic response in the paraspinal musculature to electrical stimulation of the
posterolateral L3-L4 anulus fibrosus, before and after introduction of physiologic saline
into the zygapophysial joint. Motor unit action potentials were recorded using three sets
of needle electrodes placed into the deepest fascicles of the multifidus, bilateral to the
L4 and L5 spinous processes, and into the central longissimus musculature, bilateral to
the L4 spinous process. RESULTS: Stimulation of the nerves within the posterolateral
anulus of the disc elicited reactions in the paraspinal muscles, namely the lumbar
multifidus and longissimus. Introduction of physiologic saline into the zygapophysial
joint resulted in a reduction in the motor unit action potential amplitude. This reduction
was manifested as an immediate and constant reduction, a graded reduction, or a delayed
reaction, during which the reduction occurred an average of 5 minutes after the saline
injection. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of physiologic saline into the zygapophysial joint
reduced the stimulation pathway from the intervertebral disc to the paraspinal
musculature. The zygapophysial joints may therefore have a regulating function,
controlling the intricate neuromuscular balance in the lumbar motion segment. |
| MAIN MESH HEADINGS: |
Intervertebral
Disk/*physiology
Lumbar Vertebrae/*physiology
Muscle, Skeletal/*physiology
Spine/*physiology |
| ADDITIONAL MESH HEADINGS: |
Action Potentials/drug effects
Animal
Electric Stimulation
Electromyography
Injections, Intra-Articular
Intervertebral Disk/drug effects
Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects
Muscle, Skeletal/innervation
Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage
Spinal Nerves/drug effects
Spinal Nerves/physiology
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Swine |
| PUBLICATION TYPES: |
JOURNAL ARTICLE |
| CAS REGISTRY NUMBERS: |
7647-14-5 (Sodium Chloride) |
| LANGUAGES: |
Eng |
|
