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Neuromuscular thermography in orthopaedic surgery. A usage poll
1Center for Scientific Research, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield.
Orthopaedic Review
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Thermography is rarely used for neck and back pain evaluation by orthopedic surgeons. This survey found limited use and no strong evidence supporting its courtroom documentation for these painful conditions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Pain Management
Background:
- Neck and back pain are common conditions.
- Thermography is a non-invasive imaging technique.
- Its utility in evaluating spinal pain is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current use and perceived value of thermography.
- To evaluate thermography's role in documenting neck and back pain.
- To determine if thermography use is supported by orthopedic surgeons.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to Active Fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- A simple random sample of 405 Fellows was targeted.
- Data from 316 respondents who evaluate neck and back pain were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Only 18 of 293 surveyed Fellows use thermography for neck and back pain.
- Seven Fellows found thermography helpful in their practice.
- The survey did not support thermography's use in legal documentation of these conditions.
Conclusions:
- Thermography is infrequently utilized by orthopedic surgeons for evaluating neck and back pain.
- Current evidence from this survey does not support its use for courtroom documentation.
- Further research may be needed to establish thermography's role in spinal pain assessment.