The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Two Quantitative Clinical Tests in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Two Quantitative Clinical Tests in Patients

This study will investigate whether two clinical tests can be used to diagnose and predict the outcome in patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing surgery and non-surgery treatment.

The two quantitative clinical tests include: electromyographic measurements using Paraspinal Mapping and pain responses using Quantitative Sensory Pain Testing.

150 patients will be included for the prospective cohort study. Patients will be recruited from the Region of Southern Denmark and Capital Region. Participants will undergo MRI scanning of the lumbar spine, fillout a questionnaire and undergo assessment with the two clinical tests. An 8-week follow-up will be made with patients completing a questionnaire. The two quantitative clinical tests include: electromyographic measurements using Paraspinal Mapping and pain responses using Quantitative Sensory Pain Testing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical and radiologically diagnosed lumbar disc herniation.
• Low back pain with pain below the knee or anterior thigh pain in one or both legs.
• Dermatomal leg pain.
• Average pain intensity of 3 or more on a Numerical Rating Scale (0-10 NRS).

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous lumbar spine surgery.
• Surgery in general in the past 4 months.
• Current use of anticoagulants.
• Diagnoses which could confound with the diagnosis e.g. lumbar spinal stenosis, local muscle trauma, cancer metastases, fibromyalgia, neuropathy.