The use of acoustic myography and multi-frequency bioimpedance to assess muscle function and rehabilitation following ACIF: A case study

The aim of this case study was to see if multi frequency Bioimpedance and Acoustic Myography, both non-invasive and easily applicable methods, could be used to follow patients with nerve injuries during the long healing process following surgery. A patient suffering from a prolapse at the level of C5-6 on the right side with paresis in the upper right extremity over the shoulder and elbow was followed for a period of 12 months after surgery using the Anterior Cervical Interbody Fusion (ACIF) technique. To avoid a high degree of muscle atrophy during nerve recovery, the affected m. Biceps was electrically stimulated using a TENS unit on a daily basis. The two applied measuring techniques showed great promise as a package to design physiotherapy correctly so that it matches the patients needs, as well as follow recovery both prior to any physical sign of improvement and during visible improvement, including signs of overtraining by the patient.