Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study
# Background Dry needling the lumbar multifidi is a technique used by physical therapists to effectively treat low back pain. While studies have examined the safety considerations in the upper lumbar spine related to the kidneys and lungs, none have investigated the possibility of entering the spin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.89663 |
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| author | Christi L. Williams Christian R. Falyar Ryan C. McConnell Stacey Lindsley |
| author_facet | Christi L. Williams Christian R. Falyar Ryan C. McConnell Stacey Lindsley |
| author_sort | Christi L. Williams |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Dry needling the lumbar multifidi is a technique used by physical therapists to effectively treat low back pain. While studies have examined the safety considerations in the upper lumbar spine related to the kidneys and lungs, none have investigated the possibility of entering the spinal canal in this region.
# Purpose
The purpose of this cadaveric ultrasound-guided dry needling exploration was to determine if a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum at the T12/L1 interspace and enter the spinal canal using a paramedian approach in a fresh-frozen, lightly fixed cadaver in the prone position.
# Study Design
Cadaveric study.
# Methods
The procedure was performed on a cadaver in the prone position. The needle was advanced under ultrasound guidance to determine if a 0.30 x 50 mm dry needle inserted 1.0 cm lateral to the spinous process of T12 and directed medially at a 22-degree angle could penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal.
# Results
As determined via ultrasound, a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal at the thoracolumbar junction using this technique.
# Conclusion
This interprofessional collaboration demonstrates that a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum to enter the spinal canal at T12/L1 using a documented technique for dry needling the multifidus. A thorough understanding of human anatomy along with the incorporation of available technology, such as ultrasound, may decrease the risk of adverse events when dry needling the multifidi at the thoracolumbar junction.
# Level of Evidence
Level IV. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b847e061b3d64941a52dc22b613cd029 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-b847e061b3d64941a52dc22b613cd0292025-02-11T20:30:08ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962023-12-01186Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric StudyChristi L. WilliamsChristian R. FalyarRyan C. McConnellStacey Lindsley# Background Dry needling the lumbar multifidi is a technique used by physical therapists to effectively treat low back pain. While studies have examined the safety considerations in the upper lumbar spine related to the kidneys and lungs, none have investigated the possibility of entering the spinal canal in this region. # Purpose The purpose of this cadaveric ultrasound-guided dry needling exploration was to determine if a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum at the T12/L1 interspace and enter the spinal canal using a paramedian approach in a fresh-frozen, lightly fixed cadaver in the prone position. # Study Design Cadaveric study. # Methods The procedure was performed on a cadaver in the prone position. The needle was advanced under ultrasound guidance to determine if a 0.30 x 50 mm dry needle inserted 1.0 cm lateral to the spinous process of T12 and directed medially at a 22-degree angle could penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal. # Results As determined via ultrasound, a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal at the thoracolumbar junction using this technique. # Conclusion This interprofessional collaboration demonstrates that a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum to enter the spinal canal at T12/L1 using a documented technique for dry needling the multifidus. A thorough understanding of human anatomy along with the incorporation of available technology, such as ultrasound, may decrease the risk of adverse events when dry needling the multifidi at the thoracolumbar junction. # Level of Evidence Level IV.https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.89663 |
| spellingShingle | Christi L. Williams Christian R. Falyar Ryan C. McConnell Stacey Lindsley Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study |
| title_full | Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study |
| title_fullStr | Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study |
| title_short | Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study |
| title_sort | safety considerations when dry needling the multifidi in the thoracolumbar region a cadaveric study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.89663 |
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