Musculoskeletal System

Research shows physical activity does not improve after hip replacement

Date: October 23, 2016 Source: University of East Anglia Summary: Surprisingly, new research shows that patients’ physical activity does not increase following hip replacement surgery. New research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows that, surprisingly, patients’ physical activity does not increase following hip replacement surgery. Total hip replacement is one of the most […]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for sciatica

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Oct 15;10:CD012382. Rasmussen-Barr E1, Held U, Grooten WJ, Roelofs PD, Koes BW, van Tulder MW, Wertli MM. Abstract BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of sciatica. A previous Cochrane review on the efficacy of NSAIDs summarised findings for acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) and sciatica. […]

Study finds knowingly taking placebo pills eases pain

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 10/17/2016 ‘Fake pills’ reduced pain and disability in patients with low back pain. Conventional medical wisdom has long held that placebo effects depend on patients’ belief they are getting pharmacologically active medication. A paper published online in the journal Pain is the first to demonstrate that patients who knowingly took […]

Study Finds Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulator Safe, Effective For Chronic Migraine Headache Prevention

OCTOBER 17, 2016 Self-administered, noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) using the gammaCore (electroCore) device is a safe, tolerable and potentially effective treatment option for the prevention of chronic migraine attacks, according to a 59-patient multicenter study (Neurology 2016;87:529-538). The mechanism of nVNS provides some of the same benefits as deep breathing, yoga or meditation. The […]

Tai Chi can help relieve chronic neck pain, study shows

Date: October 13, 2016 Source: American Pain Society Summary: Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results of randomized controlled trial. Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results […]

Effects of habitual knuckle cracking on metacarpal cartilage thickness and grip strength

Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation Available online 11 October 2016 M.T. Yildizgören Abstract Joint cracking involves a manipulation of the finger joints resulting in an audible crack. This study aimed to determine whether habitual knuckle cracking (KC) leads to an alteration in grip strength and metacarpal head (MH) cartilage thickness. Thirty-five habitual knuckle crackers (cracking their […]

Whiplash Injury or Concussion? A Possible Biomechanical Explanation for Concussion Symptoms in Some Individuals Following a Rear-End Collision

Authors: Benjamin S. Elkin, PhD Study Design Finite element modeling of experimental data. Background The clinical presentations of whiplash injury and concussion have considerable overlap. Both diagnoses are generally based on presenting signs and symptoms, and a history of neck or head trauma. With incomplete knowledge of the trauma, differentiating between whiplash injury and concussion […]

The Association of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion With Hip and Knee Kinematics During the Lateral Step Down Test

Authors: Alon Rabin, DPT, PhD Study Design Cross-sectional. Background Altered hip and knee kinematics have been associated with several knee disorders including anterior cruciate ligament tear, patellofemoral pain, and iliotibial band syndrome. Limited ankle dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion (ROM), which has been linked with some of these disorders, has also been associated with altered […]

Less carbs, more fat: ketogenic diet makes migraine patients’ headaches disappear

14th October 2016 by Danielle Bengsch The diet was originally developed for childhood epilepsy a century ago and is now studied to treat migraines. Before the ketogenic diet became the latest low-carb diet trend, it was used to treat childhood epilepsy. Doctors had observed that fasting reduced the amount of seizures, and eating mainly fat […]

The Effects of Tai Chi and Neck Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

J Pain. 2016 Sep;17(9):1013-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Jun 23. Lauche R Abstract This study aimed to test the efficacy of Tai Chi for treating chronic neck pain. Subjects with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group Tai Chi or conventional neck exercises with weekly sessions of 75 to 90 minutes, or […]

The Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Coccydynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Shih-Feng Lin Abstract Coccydynia is pain in the coccygeal region, and usually treated conservatively. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) was incorporated as non-invasive treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions. However, the effects of ESWT on coccydynia are less discussed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of ESWT on the outcomes of coccydynia. […]

How to treat posterior glenohumeral instability

Previous research has underestimated the incidence of posterior glenohumeral instability (PGI). This systematic review aimed to determine the best evidence-based conservative treatment for patients with PGI. Patients with PGI often showed an increased glenohumeral retroversion. Especially individuals who are engaged in activities that bring the shoulder repetitively in a position of flexion, adduction and internal rotation […]

Effect of pillow height on the biomechanics of the head-neck complex: investigation of the cranio-cervical pressure and cervical spine alignment.

Ren S, et al. Peer J. 2016. Abstract BACKGROUND: While appropriate pillow height is crucial to maintaining the quality of sleep and overall health, there are no universal, evidence-based guidelines for pillow design or selection. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pillow height on cranio-cervical pressure and cervical spine alignment. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects […]

How Well Are Nurse Practitioners Prepared to Treat Common Musculoskeletal Conditions?

Orthop Nurs. 2016 Sep-Oct;35(5):325-9. doi: 10.1097/NOR.0000000000000278. Benham AJ1, Geier KA, Salmond S. Author information Abstract BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders affect a third of the U.S. population and are among the most prevalent, costly, and debilitating medical conditions. Basic familiarity with musculoskeletal conditions is essential for all primary care providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs). PURPOSE: The purpose […]

Knee Pain Linked to Pain Elsewhere

Gait adjustment a possible explanation for pain in regions outside the knee by Pauline Anderson Contributing Writer, MedPage Today 09.18.2016 Results of a new study confirm that patients with painful knees are more likely to develop pain in other joints. Since multiple musculoskeletal comorbidities are disabling and potentially preventive, it’s important to investigate causes of […]

The effect of adding whole body vibration training to strengthening training in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical trial.

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2016 Apr;20(2):334-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.08.005. Epub 2015 Aug 25. Bokaeian HR1, Bakhtiary AH2, Mirmohammadkhani M3, Moghimi J4. Abstract Strengthening training (ST) and whole body vibration training (WBV) alone may improve symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. In this study, we investigated the effect of adding WBV training to quadriceps and hamstring muscles […]

Migraine Headache Remedy for Treatment and Prevention

Migraine headaches represent a serious health issue in America today, and the statistics are staggering. As many as 13% of adults experience migraine headaches, and as many as 5 million experience at least one migraine attack each month. In fact, more than 90% of people who have a migraine headache are completely unable to function normally during […]

Associations Between Body Anthropometric Measures and Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

APM&R September 2016 Volume 97, Issue 9, Pages 1456–1464 Mauro Mondelli, MD Abstract Objective To assess the associations between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity and selected anthropometric and obesity indexes. Design We performed a case-control study. Clinical and electrophysiological severity of CTS was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on validated scales. Body and […]

Calcium, vitamin D may positively impact adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curve progression

September 16, 2016 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND — Use of dietary supplements may constitute a new treatment approach for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis based on 2-year results of a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Lam Tsz-Ping, MBBS, FRCS(Edin), FHKAM (Orthopaedic Surgery),presented the findings at the British Orthopaedic Association Annual (BOA) Congress, here. Ping, who is the […]

Structural pathology is not related to patient-reported pain and function in patients undergoing meniscal surgery – Full Text Article

What are the findings? Meniscal pathology features such as tear type, tear size and tear location identified at arthroscopy were not associated with preoperative self-reported knee pain and function in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal surgery. Other structural knee joint pathologies found at surgery, such as cartilage damage, were not associated with preoperative self-reported knee pain […]