Musculoskeletal System

The Enduring Impact of What Clinicians Say to People With Low Back Pain

Ben Darlow, MSportsPhysio Ann Fam Med November/December 2013 vol. 11 no. 6 527-534 Full Text Article:  http://www.annfammed.org/content/11/6/527.full Abstract PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explore the formation and impact of attitudes and beliefs among people experiencing acute and chronic low back pain. METHODS Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 participants with acute […]

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 […]

Prospective evaluation of physical activity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis or kyphosis receiving brace treatment

This is an important finding that should help reduce patients’ and parents’ worries concerning bracing.

DO OUR BONES INFLUENCE OUR MINDS?

NOVEMBER 4, 2013 POSTED BY AMANDA SCHAFFER Full Story:  http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/11/do-our-bones-influence-our-minds.html In the mid-nineteen-nineties, a young French geneticist and physician named Gerard Karsenty became curious about a mysterious protein, called osteocalcin, that is found at high concentrations in the skeleton. He worked with mice that had been engineered to lack the substance, expecting to find problems […]

Arm Squeeze Test: a new clinical test to distinguish neck from shoulder pain

S. Gumina, Stefano Carbone, P. Albino, M. Gurzi, F. Postacchini European Spine Journal July 2013, Volume 22, Issue 7, pp 1558-1563 Abstract Purpose Objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic values of the Arm Squeeze Test. The test consists in squeezing the middle third of the upper arm. Methods 1,567 patients were included […]

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 […]

Insomnia in Chronic Disabling Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders is Independent of Pain and Depression

Sali Asih, M.S The Spine Journal Available online 10 December 2013 In Press Abstract Background Context Insomnia is frequently experienced by patients suffering from chronic musculoskeletal disorders, but is often seen as simply a symptom of pain or depression, and not as an independent disorder. Compared to those who experience only chronic pain, patients with […]

Kinematics of the thoracic spine in trunk lateral bending In vivo three-dimensional analysis

Takahito Fujimori, MD, PhD The Spine Journal Available online 10 December 2013 In Press Abstract Background Context In vivo three-dimensional kinematics of the thoracic spine in trunk lateral bending with an intact rib cage and soft tissues has not been well documented. There is no quantitative data in the literature for lateral bending in consecutive thoracic […]

The Shoulder Girdle’s Importance to the Cervical Spine

By Kevin G. Hearon, DC, CCEP, CCSP The shoulder girdle consists of three bones: the clavicle, scapula and humerus. It is suspended at its posterior margins from the cervical and thoracic spine by the trapezius muscles, levator scapula, rhomboid, serratus and latissimus dorsi. The anterior muscle attachments include all of the pectoral muscles, subclavius and […]

Treating CTS and Wrist Tendinitis of Myofasial Origin

By Guy Hains, DC Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common and most clinically significant of all nerve entrapment syndromes,1 present in 2.7 percent of the adult population.2 Numbness and paresthesia along the distribution of the median nerve in the hand, i.e., the thumb, index, major and half the ring finger, are common symptoms […]

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 […]

Acupuncture for chronic Achilles tendnopathy: a randomized controlled study

Chin J Integr Med. 2013 Dec;19(12):900-4. doi: 10.1007/s11655-012-1218-4. Epub 2012 Dec 21. Bi-meng Zhang 1, Li-wei Zhong, Si-wei Xu, Hui-ru Jiang, Jian Shen PMID: 23263998 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-012-1218-4 Abstract Objective: To examine whether acupuncture treatment would improve outcome in chronic Achilles tendinopathy. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial at two centers of 64 randomized patients aged 18 […]

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: […]

Primary Care Approach to Migraine – Interview with Tricia C Elliott MD, FAAFP

Tricia C Elliott MD, FAAFP Original Article:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/expertopinion/644 Dr. Patricia Elliott, Associate Professor, C.E. Woodson Endowed Professorship in Family Medicine, and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Family Medicine Department at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, speaks with PracticeUpdate about managing patients with migraines from a primary care perspective. PracticeUpdate: Dr. Elliott,migraine […]

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 […]

Osteoarthritis Jacks Up CV Risk

12.06.2013 by Nancy Walsh Staff Writer, MedPage Today Patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee — some 10% to 12% of the world’s population — are at heightened risk for cardiovascular disease, a prospective longitudinal study suggested. After adjustment for risk factors, men older than 65 with osteoarthritis had a 15% increased risk for […]