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Ultrasound Assessment of the Zygapophyseal Joints Before and After Spinal Manipulation
Author(s) -
Cramer Gregory David,
Settergren Roy,
Miller Nathan,
Dexheimer Jennifer
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2018.32.1_supplement.514.1
Subject(s) - zygapophyseal joint , joint (building) , nuclear medicine , medicine , ultrasound , orthodontics , surgery , facet joint , radiology , structural engineering , lumbar spine , engineering
This IRB‐approved pilot/feasibility study used diagnostic ultrasound (US) to quantify L3/L4 zygapophyseal (Z) joint space separation (therapeutic gapping) before and after spinal manipulation (SM). Previous work in our lab demonstrated Z joint space gapping using magnetic resonance imaging. US has the advantage of assessing Z joint gapping in real‐time and allows measurements to be made before SM, and multiple measurements to be made after SM, using the data from a single imaging session. Methods six (3 male and 3 female) healthy subjects were enrolled. Z joint gapping was determined by the difference (gapping difference) between US joint space measurements taken pre‐ and post‐SM. SM was performed in the side‐posture (recumbent) position and pre‐ and post‐SM images were obtained while the subject was in the side‐posture position. Post‐SM US images were taken immediately after SM, and at 16 pre‐determined time intervals between 5–180 sec post‐SM. Gapping differences were compared for up‐side (contact side for SM) pre‐SM and all post‐SM values. Primary outcomes were maximum gapping difference for each subject and post‐SM time when maximum gapping was measured. Results Z joint gapping continued to increase for 10–15 seconds after SM and then gapping diminished toward immediately post‐SM values. The average maximum gap was 0.8 mm and the average time to maximum gap was 11.25 sec. Maximum gapping was achieved most frequently at 10 sec post‐SM. Conclusions The methods were effective in assessing Z joint gapping before and after SM. Still images and live images were captured. Future work should include establishing the reliability of US Z joint measurements, and continuing to assess video capture of real‐time SM assessment and the time to maximum Z joint gapping following SM. Support or Funding Information Partial funding: NIH/NCCIH Grant # 3R01AT000123‐06S2 This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .