title: Quantitative analysis of sensory functions after lumbar discectomy using current perception threshold testing.
abstract: A Neurometer device is an electrical nerve stimulator used to determine the current perception threshold (CPT) evoked by stimulating A-beta fibers at 2,000 Hz, A-delta fibers at 250 Hz and C fibers at 5 Hz. CPT evaluation is used for analyzing peripheral nerve dysfunction. In this study, the sensory disturbance of the lower-extremity was quantitatively analyzed using CPT testing before and after lumbar discectomy. In 33 patients (L4/5: 16 and L5/S: 17), as subjective evaluations, tactile sensation and leg pain were assessed before and 2 weeks after surgery. In the subjectively improved group (n = 22), significant decreases in CPT at 2,000 and 250 Hz were noted postoperatively, whereas in the unchanged group (n = 11), no significant changes in CPT at any frequencies was noted. The leg pain improved in all patients. Likewise, CPT at 5 Hz, which stimulated C fiber, decreased significantly for both improved and unchanged groups. CPT measured by a Neurometer is very useful in assessing lower-extremity sensory functions before and after surgery for lumbar disc herniation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imoto
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takebayashi
authors.forename: Kunihito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanaya
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Genichirou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Katahira
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D017586:Diskectomy; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012684:Sensory Thresholds