Predictors of walking performance and walking capacity in people with lumbar spinal stenosis, low back pain, and asymptomatic controls.

Objective: To examine predictors of community walking performance and walking capacity in people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), compared with people with low back pain and asymptomatic control subjects.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: University spine program.

Electromyographic and magnetic resonance imaging to predict lumbar stenosis, low-back pain, and no back symptoms.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly used to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis. Some persons without symptoms have a small lumbar spinal canal. Electrodiagnosis has been used to diagnose spinal stenosis for over sixty years, but we are aware of no masked, controlled trials of the use of electrodiagnosis for that purpose.

The sensitivity and specificity of electrodiagnostic testing for the clinical syndrome of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study Design: Prospective, masked, double controlled diagnostic trial.

Objectives: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of electrodiagnostic consultation (EDX) for the clinical syndrome of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Summary Of Background Data: EDX has been used for more than 50 years to diagnose spinal disorders but has not met the new standards of evidence-based medicine.

Clinical experience with paraspinal mapping. II: A simplified technique that eliminates three-fourths of needle insertions.

Objective: To simplify and minimize the quantified needle examination of the paraspinal muscles (paraspinal mapping [PM]) without compromising sensitivity or specificity.

Design: Nonrandomized prospective trial.

Setting: Electrodiagnostic laboratory of a university spine center and of a private practice in a small community.