Infrared Thermography for the Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Pain

The Contribution and Validity of Infrared Thermography in the Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Pain

This study sought to evaluate the vasomotor response in the pain referral area of healthy individuals, performing the same procedure with and without the experience of delayed onset muscle soreness.

Validity of infrared thermography for properly diagnosing musculoskeletal pain and their clinical applicability is lacking. This study investigates temperature changes on the upper extremity before and after a suprathreshold stimulation (painful stimulus) with a digital algometer over the infraspinatus muscle. The same procedure is performed in two consecutive days, 24 hours apart (Day-1 and Day-2). At the end of Day-1, an eccentric exercise is performed in order to to induce delayed onset muscle soreness on the external rotators of the shoulder.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being healthy and free from any pain specific to the upper limbs and/or in general.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous history of chronic pain.
• Any systemic diseases or regional pathology which can interfere with the outcome measures.