Motor unit number index in quantitatively assessing motor root lesions and monitoring treatment outcomes in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy.

INTRODUCTION

We investigated the feasibility of motor unit number index (MUNIX) in quantitatively assessing motor root lesions and tracking different treatment outcomes in lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR).

METHODS

Bilateral MUNIX was recorded from the abductor hallucis, extensor digitorum brevis, and tibialis anterior in 44 normal controls and 108 patients with LR, and this was repeated approximately 12 months after treatment in 60 patients with LR.

RESULTS

More abnormalities were observed when side-to-side differences of MUNIX measurements were used to evaluate LR (P < .05). Motor unit number index measurements worsened without progression of muscle weakness after conservative treatment, and MUNIX measurements improved with or without increased muscle strength after surgical treatment (P < .05).

DISCUSSION: Motor unit number index may identify a specific L5 or S1 motor root lesion even before muscle weakness occurs, especially when side-to-side differences are used. Changes in MUNIX were larger than those in motor function measures after treatments for LR.