Thoracic costotransverse joint pain patterns: a study in normal volunteers
2008

Pain Patterns in Costotransverse Joints

Sample size: 8 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Brian A Young, Howard E Gill, Robert S Wainner, Timothy W Flynn

Primary Institution: Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, USA

Hypothesis

What are the pain referral patterns of asymptomatic costotransverse joints?

Conclusion

The study provides preliminary data on the pain referral patterns of costotransverse joints, indicating a reproducible pattern of pain sensation.

Supporting Evidence

  • 76% of injections were classified as intra-articular.
  • 14 out of 16 successful injections produced a distinct pain sensation.
  • Average pain rating was 3.3 on a scale of 0 to 10.

Takeaway

The study looked at how pain feels when certain joints in the back are poked, and found that they can cause specific pain patterns even when people aren't hurt.

Methodology

Eight asymptomatic male volunteers received intra-articular injections in costotransverse joints, and pain sensations were recorded.

Limitations

The study was limited by the small sample size and the complexity of the costotransverse joint anatomy.

Participant Demographics

Eight asymptomatic male volunteers, average age 36 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2474-9-140

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