Published in:
Open Access 01-06-2020 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Images in Practice
Images in Practice: Multifidus Muscle Dysfunction Characterized by Fat Infiltration in a Patient with Chronic Lumbar Back Pain
Published in: Pain and Therapy | Issue 1/2020
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Stability and functional movements of the lumbar spine comes inherently from the utility of the paraspinal muscles, most particularly the lumbar multifidus muscle.
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In the setting of chronic lumbar pathology, healthy muscle is replaced with adipose tissue, a marker of weakening.
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Degeneration of the multifidus has been shown to contribute to intractable low back pain.
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Further large observational studies may subsequently reveal the true incidence of low back pain in patients noted to have changes of the multifidus muscle evident on radiographic imaging, as well as treatment strategies to reduce and prevent the progression of fat infiltration.
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