Lumbar Matrix Scan May Transform the Diagnosis of Low Back Pain

A new technology may revolutionize the manner is which low back pain is diagnosed and treated, while also significantly reducing healthcare costs.

The technology has been introduced by SpineMatrix, Inc. (Akron, OH, USA), a medical technology company that specializes in advanced spinal diagnostics. SpineMatrix's new, noninvasive Lumbar Matrix Scan uses high-speed computer processing of thousands of bioelectric signals to observe neuromuscular activity of the low back. The sophisticated diagnostic technology allows physicians to accurately identify the source of low back pain, which helps determine proper treatment and can result in significant savings for patients and the healthcare industry.

Low back pain is the most common and costly disabling condition in the United States, affecting nearly 31 million Americans. Current diagnostic methods used most frequently to detect lower back pain--such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans--take into account the anatomy of the back but not the physiology. These methods often cannot target the precise cause of pain for this reason. More than 85% of patients with low back pain are never given a specific diagnosis, leading to ineffective treatment and billions of dollars spent in unnecessary healthcare costs. Moreover, invasive procedures, including surgery, may follow misdiagnosed lower back pain, further increasing healthcare spending.

"The Lumbar Matrix Scan was developed to help physicians more precisely diagnose the cause of low back pain and prescribe the best form of treatment to alleviate the pain,” said Ben Shappley, president and CEO of SpineMatrix. "Not only are we improving patient care, but we're providing a tool with the real potential to save millions of dollars for consumers, employers, and health plans.”

The Lumbar Matrix Scan collects thousands of bioelectrical signals from the back and reconstructs them into easily interpreted images, which helps physicians to differentially diagnose lower back pain by identifying disc, facet, and muscle pathology. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration- (FDA)-approved procedure monitors and displays the bioelectric signals produced by the paraspinal neuromuscular system using an array of 63 sensors that are placed on the back. The sensors are connected to a computer, which is calibrated to read the neuromuscular activity covered by the electrode grid.

Typically, the scan is used to capture three lower back scans of the patient in varying stances: Standing relaxed with arms at side (baseline); flexing at the hips to a 20^o angle; and standing with arms outstretched in front holding a three-pound weight in each hand. The image of the bioelectric signals generated by the low back muscles indicates the precise origin of low back pain. The procedure is fast, taking less than 15 minutes, and costs much less than an MRI, CT scan, or invasive procedures. Factor in the savings on unnecessary treatments to relieve the pain, and the positive impact on healthcare costs significantly increases.

In blinded clinical studies at three U.S. institutions, the system was shown to be a safe, noninvasive, and effective diagnostic procedure. "Patients are already benefiting from the Lumbar Matrix Scan's ability to more accurately identify the source of low back pain,” said Dr. Shappley. "But many individuals continue to suffer from ineffective treatments stemming from improper diagnosis. The Lumbar Matrix Scan provides a solution to improve diagnosis for these individuals, ultimately enabling physicians to prescribe the most effective treatments.”

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