Scanner helps spot muscle pains

The technique could help injured athletes

Scientists say they have devised a way to pinpoint the exact cause of muscular aches and pains.

Magnetic resonance elastography could painlessly measure the stiffness of deep muscle fibres by taking snapshots using scanner.

The device, featured in New Scientist magazine, could one day help people ranging from people with sports injuries to those with cerebral palsy.

The research has been welcomed by patient groups.

If we can know more about targeting treatment, by scanning, it will be an advantage Richard Parnell, Scope

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) works by measuring the wavelength of vibrations sent through the muscle fibres by a vibrating muscle plate placed on the skin.

Pulsing the magnetic field in the MRI scanner in time with the mechanical vibration "freezes" the pattern of waves in the muscle, so it can be measured allowing doctors to work out the stiffness of the muscle.

'Wide ranging uses'

The research was carried out by doctors at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota say MRE would be less painful that the current technique of inserting sensors into tissue.

MRE could be available to patients in around five years time.

Scientists from the Biomechanics Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic admit the technique is limited in that patients have to be confined to an MRI scanner for the test to take place - which may be problematic for cerebral palsy patients who cannot control their movements.

Instead of taking measurements as patients move around, MRE involves tensing particular muscle groups by bracing against special apparatus inside the scanner.

Dr Kai-Nan An, who is leading the testing said MRE could help stroke patients, and even patients with degenerative muscle disease such as multiple sclerosis.

He said: "It could be used for many things."

Botox treatment

Richard Parnell, head of research and public policy for the Scope, which supports people with cerebral palsy, told BBC News Online painful muscle stiffness and spasms were a common symptom which it could be hard to treat,

One therapy used to relieve the symptom is botox treatment, which is used to relax the muscles.

Mr Parnell said: "If we can know more about targeting treatment, by scanning, it will be an advantage.

"One of the issues about botox treatment is finding the right site. This could help us to do that.

"This technique sounds promising, although more research needs to be carried out."