Musculoskeletal System

An ICON Overview on Physical Modalities for Neck Pain and Associated Disorders

Graham N, et al. Open Orthop J. 2013 Sep 20;7:440-60. Abstract INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is common, can be disabling and is costly to society. Physical modalities are often included in neck rehabilitation programs. Interventions may include thermal, electrotherapy, ultrasound, mechanical traction, laser and acupuncture. Definitive knowledge regarding optimal modalities and dosage for neck pain management […]

Balance ability and postural stability among patients with painful shoulder disorders and healthy controls

Tobias Baierle BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2013, 14:282 Abstract Background In therapeutic settings, patients with shoulder pain often exhibit deficient coordinative abilities in their trunk and lower extremities. The aim of the study was to investigate 1) if there is a connection between shoulder pain and deficits in balance ability and postural stability, 2) if pain intensity […]

Minimal clinically important change of the Neck Disability Index and the Numerical Rating Scale for patients with neck pain

Pool JJ Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Dec 15;32(26):3047-51. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the minimal clinically important change (MCIC) on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain in patients with neck pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Both measurement instruments are frequently used in research […]

Magnetic resonance imaging morphology and morphometry of the coccyx in coccydynia

Woon JT, Maigne JY, Perumal V, Stringer MD. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Nov 1;38(23):E1437-45. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a45e07. Source *Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand †Service de Médecine Physique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris Cedex, France. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. OBJECTIVE: To determine if differences exists between the […]

Musculoskeletal physical outcome measures in individuals with tension-type headache

A scoping review Abboud J,et al. Cephalalgia. 2013 Dec;33(16):1319-36. doi: 10.1177/0333102413492913. Epub 2013 Jun 26. Abstract INTRODUCTION: Individuals with tension-type headache (TTH), in addition to headache pain, typically suffer from pericranial muscle tenderness and increased cervical muscle tone. Physical and physiological outcomes related to musculoskeletal function, however, are not commonly assessed in clinical studies and […]

Almost 23% of U.S. Adults Have Arthritis

IMNG Medical Media, 2013 Nov 08, R Franki In 2010-2012, almost 23% of the adult population had physician-diagnosed arthritis and almost 10% had some form of activity limitation attributable to their arthritis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The figures for adults aged 18 years and older with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity were […]

Anterior herniation of lumbar disc induces persistent visceral pain: discogenic visceral pain: discogenic visceral pain

Chin Med J (Engl). 2013;126(24):4691-5. Tang YZ, Shannon ML, Lai GH, Li XY, Li N, Ni JX Abstract BACKGROUND: Visceral pain is a common cause for seeking medical attention. Afferent fibers innervating viscera project to the central nervous system via sympathetic nerves. The lumbar sympathetic nerve trunk lies in front of the lumbar spine. Thus, […]

The orthotic treatment of acute and chronic disease of the cervical and lumbar spine

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013 Nov 1;110(44):737-42. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2013.0737. Zarghooni K, Beyer F, Siewe J, Eysel P. Abstract BACKGROUND: Orthoses are external aids that are often used to treat pain and diseases affecting the spine, such as lumbago, whiplash, and disc herniation. In this review, we assess the effectiveness and complications of orthotic treatment for typical […]

Is there relationship between temporomandibular disorders and head and cervical posture?

A systematic review Rocha CP,et al. J Oral Rehabil. 2013 Nov;40(11):875-81. doi: 10.1111/joor.12104. Epub 2013 Oct 7. Abstract The objective of this systematic review was to find sufficient evidence to deny or accept the association between the head and cervical posture and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and thus assist health professionals in the evaluation and treatment […]

Recovery of motor deficit accompanying sciatica—subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Gijsbert M. Overdevest, MD The Spine Journal: Available online 5 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context In patients with sciatica due to a lumbar disc herniation, it is generally recommended to reserve surgical treatment for those who suffer from intolerable pain or those who demonstrate persistent symptoms after conservative management. Controversy exists about the […]

Comparison of spinal fusion and nonoperative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain

Long-term follow-up of three randomized controlled trials Anne F. Mannion, PhD The Spine Journal: Available online 5 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context Chronic low back pain (cLBP) represents a major challenge to our health care systems. The relative efficacy of surgery over nonoperative treatment for the treatment of cLBP remains controversial, and little […]

Continuous cervical spine kinematics during in vivo dynamic flexion-extension

William J. Anderst, MS The Spine Journal: Available online 7 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context A precise and comprehensive definition of “normal” in vivo cervical kinematics does not exist due to high intersubject variability and the absence of midrange kinematic data. In vitro test protocols and finite element models that are validated using […]

How do coverage policies influence practice patterns, safety, and cost of initial lumbar fusion surgery? A population-based comparison of workers’ compensation systems

Brook I. Martin, PhD, MPH The Spine Journal: Available online 7 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background context In response to increasing use of lumbar fusion for improving back pain, despite unclear efficacy, particularly among injured workers, some insurers have developed limited coverage policies. Washington State’s workers’ compensation (WC) program requires imaging confirmation of instability […]

Associations between Lumbosacral Transitional Anatomy Types and Degeneration at the Transitional and Adjacent Segments

Nadja A. Farshad-Amacker, MD The Spine Journal:Available online 8 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background The relation between specific types of lumbosacral transitional vertebra and the degree of degeneration at and adjacent to the transitional level is unclear. It is further unknown whether the adjacent cephalad segment to a transitional vertebra is prone to greater […]

Effect of functional lumbar stabilization exercises on pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in women with menstrual low back pain

A preliminary trial Hassan Shakeri, PhD Journal of Chiropractic Medicine: Available online 4 November 2013: In Press Abstract Objective The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the effect of functional lumbar stabilization exercises on pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in women with menstrual low back pain (LBP). Methods Thirty women with menstrual LBP participated […]

Adding Pounds, Then New Knees

By LAURIE TARKAN November 11, 2013 Full Story:  http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2013/11/11/adding-pounds-then-new-knees/ In his mid-forties, Charles Carroll, a letter carrier in Shrewsbury, Mass., started taking anti-inflammatory medicine for his achy knees. Despite his young age, osteoarthritis had begun to settle in. Over the next decade, the pain became so bad that at times he had difficulty walking. Eventually […]

The Immediate Effects of Orthoses on Pain in People with Lateral Epicondylalgia – Full Text Article

Ebrahim Sadeghi-Demneh Pain Research and Treatment Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 353597, 6 pages Abstract Objective. Tennis elbow is a common cause of upper limb dysfunction and a primary reason for pain at the lateral aspect of the elbow. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three commonly used orthoses on […]

Associations among low back pain, income, and body mass index in Taiwan

Hsiao-Yun Hu, PhD The Spine Journal Volume 13, Issue 11, November 2013, Pages 1521–1526 Abstract Background context There is a lack of literature on the association of obesity with low back pain (LBP) in oriental countries. Furthermore, no research has explored whether higher socioeconomic status cushions obesity-related risk of LBP. Purpose This study aims to […]

Patients with non-specific neck disorders commonly report upper limb disability

W.H. Osborn, R.N. Manual Therapy Volume 18, Issue 6 , Pages 492-497, December 2013 Abstract Patients with neck disorders can report difficulties with functional use of their upper limb because of their neck pain. Yet, there is little information on the frequency and specifically, the nature of these upper limb activities. This study surveyed patients […]

Inter-session reliability of the measurement of the deep and superficial layer of lumbar multifidus in young asymptomatic people and patients with low back pain using ultrasonography

I-Shan Liu Manual Therapy Volume 18, Issue 6 , Pages 481-486, December 2013 Abstract Study design Reliability study. Objective To investigate the inter-session reliability of measuring the thickness of deep (dMF) and superficial layer of lumbar multifidus (sMF) using ultrasonography for participants with and without low back pain (LBP). Background The lumbar multifidus is an […]