ARTICLE –
abstractThe
use of infrared thermography for investigating abarticular rheumatism Momanu Alina Fiziomedica
Medical Center, Iasi, Romania
Abstract
Objective.
Infrared thermography is a noninvasive physiological test which in 1990
was recognized as a diagnosis tool by the American Academy of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation. The method is based on the identification
and quantification of cutaneous thermal asymmetries. Several studies
have been conducted so far, which showed thermographic variations in
some soft tissue diseases, but could not reveal abnormal thermograms in
one of the most common abarticular rheumatic disease – shoulder
periarthritis. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the
periarticular soft tissue disorders by digital infrared imaging, an
infrared camera using the latest generation of high resolution infrared
sensor. Material and methods. The study population was
divided into two groups: a group of 81 patients with soft tissue
disease and a control group (of similar size and demographic structure)
composed of persons without pain at the sites of interest studied
(shoulder, elbow, fist, hip, knee, Achilles tendon). The areas examined
were the “regions of interest” for the various soft tissue disorders. Results.
In all the subgroups studied the temperature difference between the
affected region and the opposite side was higher than in the control
group, the difference being statistically significant. Conclusions.
Digital infrared imaging is a useful noninvasive, non-radiating,
harmless and quick tool for investigating the inflammatory conditions
of soft periarticular tissues.
Key
words:digital
infrared imaging, epicondylitis, tendonitis, periarthritis, bursitis
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