Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Journal

Accession No.:

J73513

Journal:


Pain Medicine

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 15, 11, 1938-1944

Publication Website:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25139822/

Abstract:

Study explored the relationship between findings on advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences of the cervical spinal cord and muscular system, in tandem with biomechanical measures of maximum volitional plantar flexion torques, as a proxy for a mild incomplete spinal cord injury. Lower-extremity muscle fat, morphological changes in descending spinal cord pathways using advanced MRI applications, and maximal activation of the plantar flexors were measured in 3 patients with chronic whiplash and 1 patient with history of whiplash injury but no current symptoms. Larger magnitudes of lower-extremity muscle fat corresponded to altered spinal cord anatomy and reductions in the ability to maximally activate plantar flexor torques in the 3 subjects with chronic whiplash. Such findings were not present in the recovered participant. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the expression of neck and lower-extremity muscle fatty infiltrates and reduced central activation in this small sample of patients with chronic whiplash could very-well be the result of an initial mild injury involving the spinal cord. The potential value of MRI to quantify neuromuscular degeneration in chronic whiplash is recognized. Larger scaled prospective studies are warranted before stronger conclusions can be drawn.

Author(s):


Elliott, James M., Dewald, Julius P. A., Hornby, T. George, Walton, David M., Parrish, Todd B.

Participating Centers: