Influence of Afferent Inputs on the Neurological Signs in Patients with Radicular Symptomatology

Overview

Radicular syndromes in a lower segment of lumbar spine represent an extensive diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Many times mechanic influence of disc lesion does not correspond to clinical symptomatology. Aim of this study is to demonstrate, in a patient with S1 radicular symptomatology, the influence of afferent inputs from myofascial trigger point (TrP) on the course of H-reflex. This reflex is considered as an equivalent of tendon stretch L4-S2 reflex. The results, which were statistically analysed by t-test, report significantly higher difference in the amplitude of H-reflex (p<0.05) after the therapy of myofascial TrP in m. popliteus. This result shows that the decreased value of amplitude ratio of H-reflex is caused not only by the damage of neural circuits but also by the afferent inputs of latent TrP. The H-reflex is of great importance as noninvasive diagnostic tool for the quotient assessment of afferent inputs on the neurological signs.

Key words:
H-reflex, myofascial TrP, S1 radicular syndrome, afferent inputs