Musculoskeletal System

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy relieved pain in patients with coccydynia

A report of two cases Yousef Marwan, MBBS The Spine Journal Available online 2 October 2013 Abstract Background context Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSWT) has been used widely for musculoskeletal conditions; however, no reports are available about its use for coccydynia. Purpose Study the effect of ECSWT in relieving pain of coccydynia. Study design Case […]

The effects of backpack load and carrying method on the balance of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis subjects

Sonia Sahli, PhD The Spine Journal Available online 2 October 2013 Abstract Background context Concerns have been raised about the effect of backpack carrying on adolescent balance. For adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects, the effect of backpack carrying method on their balance has not been determined. Our aim is to examine the effects of backpack […]

New objective findings after whiplash injuries

High blood flow in painful cervical soft tissue: An ultrasound pilot study Hatem Kalawy Scandinavian Journal of Pain Volume 4, Issue 4 , Pages 173-179, October 2013 Highlights •Painful neck regions in patients with whiplash-associated disorder were studied. •Grey scale ultrasound and colour Doppler were used to confirm high blood flow. •Whiplash patients had higher […]

Comparative Clinical Effectiveness of Management Strategies for Sciatica

For the first time many different treatment strategies for sciatica have been compared in the same systematic review and meta-analysis…..

Sacral rib: an uncommon congenital anomaly

Naohisa Miyakoshi, MD, PhD The Spine Journal: Available online 3 October 2013 Abstract Background Context Sacral rib represents an uncommon pathology in which rib-like structures arise from the sacrum. Supernumerary ribs may occur at any level of the spine, but supernumerary ribs in the sacrococcygeal area are extremely rare. Purpose To present the case of […]

Piriformis syndrome: etiology, diagnosis, and management

Brief review: Piriformis syndrome: etiology, diagnosis, and management Jankovic D, et al. Can J Anaesth. 2013 Oct;60(10):1003-1012. Epub 2013 Jul 27. Abstract PURPOSE: In this narrative review, we aim to provide the pathophysiology and diagnostic criteria of the piriformis syndrome (PS), an underdiagnosed cause of buttock and leg pain that can be difficult to treat. […]

Diagnostic accuracy of the clinical examination in identifying the level of herniation in patients with sciatica

Hancock MJ, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 May 15;36(11):E712-9. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181ee7f78. Affiliation Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the neurological examination to identify the specific level of a disc herniation in patients with sciatica and confirmed disc herniation. SUMMARY OF […]

Development of the Young Spine Questionnaire

Henrik H Lauridsen BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2013;14(185) Abstract Background: Back pain in children is common and early onset of back pain has been shown to increase the risk of back pain significantly in adulthood. Consequently, preventive efforts must be targeted the young population but research relating to spinal problems in this age group is scarce. […]

Paradigm shift in manual therapy? Evidence for a central nervous system component in the response to passive cervical joint mobilisation

Schmid A, et al. Man Ther. 2008 Oct;13(5):387-96. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2007.12.007. Epub 2008 Mar 3. Affiliation Uniklinik Balgrist, Department of Physiotherapy, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. anninaschmid@hotmail.com Abstract Segmental neurological modulation, neural hysteresis and biomechanical effects have been proposed as mechanisms underpinning the effects of manual therapy. An increasing number of studies hypothesise activation of the […]

Biomechanics of the spine. Part II: spinal instability

Izzo R, et al. Eur J Radiol. 2013 Jan;82(1):127-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.07.023. Epub 2012 Oct 22. Affiliation Neuroradiology Department, “A.Cardarelli” Hospital, Napoli, Italy. roberto1766@interfree.it Abstract Spine stability is the basic requirement to protect nervous structures and prevent the early deterioration of spinal components. All bony and soft spinal components contribute to stability, so any degenerative, traumatic […]

Biomechanics of the spine. Part I: spinal stability

Izzo R, et al. Eur J Radiol. 2013 Jan;82(1):118-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.07.024. Epub 2012 Oct 22. Affiliation Neuroradiology Department, “A. Cardarelli” Hospital, Napoli, Italy. roberto1766@interfree.it Abstract Biomechanics, the application of mechanical principles to living organisms, helps us to understand how all the bony and soft spinal components contribute individually and together to ensure spinal stability, and […]

Alterations in Cortical and Cerebellar Motor Processing in Subclinical Neck Pain Patients Following Spinal Manipulation

Julian Daligadu, MHSc Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics: Volume 36, Issue 8 , Pages 527-537, October 2013 Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was investigate whether there are alterations in cerebellar output in a subclinical neck pain (SCNP) group and whether spinal manipulation before motor sequence learning might restore the baseline functional relationship […]

Outcomes From MRI Confirmed Symptomatic Cervical HNP Patients Treated With HVLA Spinal Manipulative Therapy

A Prospective Cohort Study With 3-Month Follow-Up Cynthia K. Peterson, RN, DC, M.Med.E Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics: Volume 36, Issue 8 , Pages 461-467, October 2013 Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate outcomes of patients with cervical radiculopathy from cervical disk herniation (CDH) who are treated with spinal manipulative […]

Efficacy of a static progressive stretch device as an adjunct to physical therapy in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder

Efficacy of a static progressive stretch device as an adjunct to physical therapy in treating adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a prospective, randomised study. Ibrahim M, et al. Physiotherapy. 2013 Oct 3. pii: S0031-9406(13)00085-0. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2013.08.006. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract BACKGROUND: Stress relaxation and static progressive stretch are techniques used for non-surgical restoration of […]

USPSTF Recommends Against Postmenopausal Vitamin D/Calcium Supplementation

IMNG Medical Media, 2013 Feb 25, S Worcester Full Story at Practice Update:  http://www.practiceupdate.com/Explore/News/?id=1909 (André’s note:  but then there is this to consider….….Conclusions:  Higher dietary calcium from nondairy or dairy sources is independently associated with a lower kidney stone risk.The Journal of Urology Dietary Calcium From Dairy and Nondairy Sources, and Risk of Symptomatic Kidney […]

Reoperation Rate After Surgery for Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc Disease

Nationwide Cohort Study Kim, Chi Heon MD, PhD Abstract Study Design. Retrospective cohort study using national health insurance data. Objective. To provide a longitudinal reoperation rate after surgery for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) disease, and to compare the reoperation rates of surgical methods. Summary of Background Data. Herniated intervertebral disc disease is the most […]

Is MRI Monitoring of Adolescent Scoliosis Feasible Using Upright MRI?

Is Radiation-Free Diagnostic Monitoring of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Feasible Using Upright Positional Magnetic Resonance Imaging? Diefenbach, Christopher BS Spine: 01 April 2013 – Volume 38 – Issue 7 – p 576–580 Abstract Study Design. Prospective clinical trial. Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine if an upright positional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol […]

Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain

A Multicenter, Randomized, Patient-Assessor Blind, Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial Cho, Yu-Jeong KMD Spine: 01 April 2013 – Volume 38 – Issue 7 – p 549–557 Abstract Study Design. Multicenter, randomized, patient-assessor blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Objective. To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment with individualized setting for reduction of bothersomeness in participants with chronic low back […]

Spinal High-Velocity Low Amplitude Manipulation in Acute Nonspecific Low Back Pain

A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial in Comparison With Diclofenac and Placebo von Heymann, Wolfgang J. Dr. Med Spine: 01 April 2013 – Volume 38 – Issue 7 – p 540–548 Abstract Study Design. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel trial with 3 arms. Objective. To investigate in acute nonspecific low back pain (LBP) the effectiveness of […]

Surgery Versus Non-Surgical Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy

Surgery Versus Non-Surgical Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy A prospective, randomized study comparing surgery plus physiotherapy with physiotherapy alone with a two year follow-up Engquist, Markus MD Abstract Study Design. Prospective randomized controlled trial. Objective. To study the outcome of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) combined with a structured physiotherapy program compared to the same […]