The Role of H-reflex latency in Assessment of Radiculopathy in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

The role of neurophysiology in the assessment of peripheral nerve disorders is long standing well known, we need to evaluate the role of specific tests in the assessment of proximal nerve segments in comparison to a well established diagnostic tests as MRI. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of H-reflex latency in evaluation of radiculopathy in patients with chronic low back pain in comparison with clinical and radiological findings. Subject and method: A fifty patient was enrolled in this study including ten patients without root pain (group I) and forty patients with root pain (group II), subjected to clinical examination, laboratory studies, H- reflex study and lumbosacral MRI. Results: a statistically significant more prolonged H-latency in group II than group I, significant positive correlation of H-latency with height, age, duration, presence of sensory abnormalities, radiculopathy and MRI findings. Conclusion: H-latency is an important method in evaluation of radiculopathy in patients with chronic low back pain.