Lumbar Spine & Low Back Pain

Changes in Pressure Pain Threshold in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Imamura, Marta MD, PhD Spine: 15 November 2013 – Volume 38 – Issue 24 – p 2098–2107 Abstract Study Design. Cross-sectional study. Objective. The purpose of this study is to compare pressure pain threshold (PPT) values between patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP) and healthy individuals and correlate PPT values of the structures […]

Diagnostic accuracy of history taking to assess lumbosacral nerve root compression

Annemieke J.H. Verwoerd, MD, MSc The Spine Journal Available online 8 December 2013 In Press Abstract Background Context The diagnosis of sciatica is primarily based on history and physical examination. Most physical tests used in isolation show poor diagnostic accuracy. Little is known about the diagnostic accuracy of history items. Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy […]

Sciatica and Claudication Caused by Ganglion Cyst

Spine: 15 December 2013 – Volume 38 – Issue 26 – p E1701–E1703 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000024 Yang, Guang MD Abstract Study Design. Case report. Objective. We report a rare case that a ganglion cyst compressed the sciatic nerve and caused sciatica and claudication in a 51-year-old male. Summary of Background Data. Sciatica and claudication commonly occurs […]

Coexisting Lumbar Spondylosis in Patients Undergoing TKA

How Common and How Serious? Chang, CB Clinical orthopaedics and related research : 2013 Sep 25 pg CONCLUSIONS Radiographic lumbar spine degeneration and lumbar spine symptoms are common among patients with advanced knee OA undergoing TKA. Severe lumbar spine symptoms (visual analog scale score of ≥ 7) were likely to adversely affect the preoperative clinical […]

Clinical Predictors of Psychological Distress in Patients Presenting for Evaluation of a Spinal Disorder

Michael D. Daubs, MD The Spine Journal Available online 12 December 2013 Abstract Background Context Psychological distress has been shown to adversely affect the treatment outcomes of many spinal disorders. Most physicians do not routinely use psychological screening questionnaires. Additionally, physicians have not performed well when assessing patients for psychological distress while using clinical impression […]

Risk factors for first time incidence sciatica: a systematic review

Physiother Res Int. 2014 Jun;19(2):65-78. doi: 10.1002/pri.1572. Epub 2013 Dec 11. Cook CE, Taylor J, Wright A, Milosavljevic S, Goode A, Whitford M. Abstract BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Characteristically, sciatica involves radiating leg pain that follows a dermatomal pattern along the distribution of the sciatic nerve. To our knowledge, there are no studies that have investigated […]

Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain

Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: systematic review BMJ 2013; 347 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f7095 (Published 11 December 2013) Cite this as: BMJ 2013;347:f7095 Abstract Objective To review the evidence on diagnostic accuracy of red flag signs and symptoms to screen for fracture or malignancy in patients presenting with […]

Effectiveness and Acceptance of Acupuncture in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain

Effectiveness and Acceptance of Acupuncture in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial Weiß Johannes, Quante Sabine, Xue Fuping, Muche Rainer, and Reuss-Borst Monika. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. December 2013, 19(12): 935-941. doi:10.1089/acm.2012.0338. Published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Volume: 19 Issue 12: […]

Comparison of erector spinae and hamstring muscle activities and lumbar motion during standing knee flexion in subjects with and without lumbar extension rotation syndrome

J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2013 Dec;23(6):1311-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.07.004. Epub 2013 Aug 6. Kim SH1, Kwon OY, Park KN, Kim MH. Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the activity of the erector spinae (ES) and hamstring muscles and the amount and onset of lumbar motion during standing knee flexion between individuals with and without […]

Prognostic accuracy of clinicians for back, neck and shoulder patients in routine practice

Dave Newell Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2013, 21:42  doi:10.1186/2045-709X-21-42 Published: 1 December 2013 Abstract Background Chronicity amongst musculoskeletal patients remains a considerable burden and predicting outcomes in these patients has proven difficult. Although a large number of studies have investigated a range of predictors of outcome few have looked at the practitioners’ ability to discern […]

Low back pain risk factors associated with persistence, recurrence and delayed presentation

Low back pain risk factors associated with persistence, recurrence and delayed presentation Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Volume 27, Number 3 / 2014 Pages 281-289 Abstract BACKGROUND: There is little knowledge in the literature on the role of time-related variables for the prognosis of acute and subacute low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: The aim […]

Development and outcomes of a program to translate the evidence for spinal manipulation into physical therapy practice

Kramer CD,et al. J Man Manip Ther. 2013 Nov;21(4):177-86. doi: 10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000036. Abstract OBJECTIVES: To describe a program to translate evidence into practice for the use of manipulation with a sub-group of patients with low back pain and report the program’s outcomes following implementation. We compared outcomes based on appropriate inclusion in the program and compliance […]

Drug Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Joanne WY Chung, PhD Pain Physician November/December 2013 – Vol 16 Issue 6, 2013;16;E685-E704. BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems in adults. The impact of LBP on the individual can cause loss of health status in the form of symptoms and loss of function […]

Effect of 10-week core stabilization exercise training and detraining on pain-related outcomes in patients with clinical lumbar instability

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2013 Nov 19;7:1189-99. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S50436. eCollection 2013. Puntumetakul R, Areeudomwong P, Emasithi A, Yamauchi J. Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Clinical lumbar instability causes pain and socioeconomic suffering; however, an appropriate treatment for this condition is unknown. This article examines the effect of a 10 week core stabilization exercise (CSE) program and 3 […]

Movement of the lumbar spine is critical for maintenance of postural recovery following support surface perturbation

Nicola W. Mok, Paul W. Hodges Experimental Brain Research November 2013, Volume 231, Issue 3, pp 305-313 Abstract Repeated measures design. This study examined recovery of postural equilibrium (centre of pressure (COP) excursion, time to recover balance, and the number of postural adjustments) following unexpected support surface perturbation in healthy participants with and without a […]

The effect of a novel core stabilization technique on managing patients with chronic low back pain

A randomized, controlled, experimenter-blinded study You JH,et al. Clin Rehabil. 2013 Nov 18. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract Objective:To identify the effect of a novel augmented core stabilization exercise technique on physical function, pain and core stability in patients with chronic low back pain.Design:A block randomized controlled trial with two groups.Setting:A sports rehabilitation clinic.Participants:Forty patients […]

What is the best screening test for depression in chronic spinal pain patients?

Yun Hee Choi, Ph.D The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context High prevalence rates of depression have been found in chronic spinal disorder (CSD) patients. As a result, the assessment of depression has become an increasingly important component in understanding CSD using a biopsychosocial perspective. Standardized diagnostic criteria, such […]

Patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are different in degenerative disc disease and disc prolapse magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 224 patients

Patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are different in degenerative disc disease and disc prolapse magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 224 patients Rishi M Kanna, MS MRCS FNB The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context Existing research works on lumbar disc degeneration have remained inconclusive regarding its etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, […]

Does physical activity influence the relationship between low back pain and obesity?

Increased BMI is a risk factor for back pain in Americans.

An evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy

D. Scott Kreiner, MD The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context The objective of the North American Spine Society’s (NASS) Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy is to provide evidence-based recommendations to address key clinical questions surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar […]