Somatosensory profiles differ between patients with non-specific neck arm pain with and without heightened nerve mechanosensitivity

Background: While clinical neurological examination and electrodiagnostic studies are usually normal in patients with non-specific neck arm pain (NSNAP), a subgroup of patients with NSNAP present with clinical signs of heightened nerve mechanosensitivity. The latter is characterized clinically by pain in response to limb movements that cause nerve elongation (neurodynamic tests). It is assumed that this increased neural mechanosensitivity reflects a gain of function, presumably mediated by small nociceptive fibres.

Source: Manual Therapy - April 1, 2017 Category: Physiotherapy Authors: K. Boettger, B. Tampin, L. Stockinger, G. Landmann, A. Schmid Source Type: research