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Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_I | Pages 40 - 40
1 Jan 2012
Coxon A Farmer S Watson P Murray M Roper H Kaid L Greenough C
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Introduction

Previous work(1) has suggested that Spectral Colour Mapping (SCM) may have potential as an objective measurement tool for analysing Electromyography (EMG) data from spinal muscles, but the production and analysis of these maps is a complex undertaking. It would be beneficial for a system to create these maps and be useable with a minimum of training.

Methods

EMG data was recorded from 192 subjects across two years (initial contact, 12 months and 24 months). The data were analysed and SCMs produced. The 30 second test data was split into 30 one second epochs. Colour values were scaled to the individual data set maximum and divided into 12 bands according to frequency strength at a particular point. Median Frequency values were calculated for each epoch and a line of best fit added to the colour map to further aid the diagnosis process.

Maps with faulty recordings were excluded and 20 data sets from each group (BP and no BP) selected at random. Four observers were given only 5 minutes instruction and then asked to indicate whether they thought each map belonged to the LBP or no LBP group.


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 93-B, Issue SUPP_IV | Pages 485 - 485
1 Nov 2011
Coxon A Shipley R Murray M Roper H White S Nagendar K Greenough C
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Background context: It is frequently stated that referred pain does not travel below the knee. However, for many years studies provoking referred pain have demonstrated pain radiating below the knee.

Methods: Over a twelve month period, 643 patients with mechanical back pain and 185 patients with nerve root compressions were seen. For each patient two body map images (front and back) were obtained. Some patients attended for review, at a minimum of six weeks after their first visit. These images were also analysed.

Composite images were created by combining all images from patients in one diagnosis group. Colour based overlays were used to analyse the body map images, to locate the locations of pain. Colour density was scaled so that the site with the most hits had a pure colour, reducing down to zero colour for sites with no hits.

Results: There were 720 nerve root compression images. 216 (30%) showed no leg pain, 91 (12.6%) showed upper leg pain, 134 (18.6%) showed lower leg pain and 279 (38.8%) showed upper and lower leg pain.

There were 1964 mechanical back pain images. 674 (34.3%) showed no leg pain, 528 (26.9%) showed upper leg pain, 308 (15.7%) showed lower leg pain and 454 (23.1%) showed upper and lower leg pain.

Conclusion: A large proportion (39%) of the mechanical back pain images indicated that the patient experienced referred pain below the knee. This has significant implications in the diagnosis of nerve root compressions, potentially leading to inappropriate surgery.

Conflicts of Interest: None

Source of Funding: None