Musculoskeletal System

Influence of acupuncture in treatment of knee osteoarthritis and cartilage repairing

Am J Transl Res. 2016; 8(9): 3995–4002. Published online 2016 Sep 15. PMCID: PMC5040698 PMID: 27725880 Yan Zhang Abstract As two major non-operative methods, physiotherapy and acupuncture have been proved to be safe and effective in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. However, only a little study focused on functions of both methods on cartilage repairing. The main […]

Restricted Hip Mobility: Clinical Suggestions for Self-Mobilization and Muscle Re-Education – Full Text

Michael P. Reiman, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, ATC, FAAOMPT, CSCS Abstract Restricted hip mobility has shown strong correlation with various pathologies of the hip, lumbar spine and lower extremity. Restricted mobility can consequently have deleterious effects not only at the involved joint but throughout the entire kinetic chain. Promising findings are suggesting benefit with skilled […]

Complementary Health Approaches for Pain Management

September 13, 2016 Mayo Clinic Proceedings TAKE-HOME MESSAGE The authors of this review evaluated the available evidence regarding the use of complementary health approaches to assist in the management of chronic pain. There was positive evidence to show that some strategies may be beneficial for specific complaints. Select complementary health approaches may be beneficial for […]

Gout: DASH Diet Lowers Serum Uric Acid

Pam Harrison August 25, 2016 The DASH diet lowers elevated serum uric acid levels to almost the same extent as pharmacological preparations in individuals at risk for gout, a large intervention trial indicates. “The DASH diet is a well-known diet for blood pressure, a condition common in 75% of gout patients, so we wanted to […]

Strong Muscles Protect Damaged Knees

by Mike Bassett, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today September 12, 2016 Low knee extensor (KE) muscle strength is associated with an increased risk of systematic and functional deterioration in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a team of international investigators has found. Adam G. Culvenor, PhD, Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria and colleagues, conducted a systematic review and […]

Serum concentration of magnesium as an independent risk factor in migraine attacks

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016 Sep;31(5):287-92. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0000000000000130. Serum concentration of magnesium as an independent risk factor in migraine attacks: a matched case-control study and review of the literature. Assarzadegan F1, Asgarzadeh S, Hatamabadi HR, Shahrami A, Tabatabaey A, Asgarzadeh M. Abstract There is controversy over the role of magnesium in the etiology of migraine headaches. […]

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

The Journal of Pain ORIGINAL REPORT| VOLUME 17, ISSUE 9, P1013-1027, SEPTEMBER 2016 Romy Lauche Published: June 23, 2016 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2016.06.004 Highlights Tai Chi provides moderate benefit for patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Tai Chi exercises appear to be as effective as conventional exercises for neck pain. After 12 weeks a pain reduction of ≥50% […]

Hip fractures: Most elderly unlikely to fully recover

New study supports the need for frank discussions about the likelihood of ever making a full recovery Date: September 8, 2016 Source: Springer Summary: One in every two older persons who have suffered a hip fracture will never be as physically active and independent as they were before. The odds are even lower for the very old and […]

Recovery Pathways and Prognosis After Whiplash Injury

Authors: Carrie Ritchie, PhD1, Michele Sterling, PT, PhD1 Synopsis Recovery from a whiplash injury is varied and complex. Some individuals recover quickly and fully, while others experience on-going pain and disability. Three distinct patterns of predicted recovery (trajectories) have been identified using disability and psychological outcome measures. These trajectories are not linear, and show that […]

An Investigation of Fat Infiltration of the Multifidus Muscle in Patients With Severe Neck Symptoms Associated With Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorder

Authors: Anette Karlsson, MSc Study Design Cross-sectional study. Background Findings of fat infiltration in cervical spine multifidus, as a sign of degenerative morphometric changes due to the whiplash injury, need to be verified. Objectives To develop a method using water/fat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate fat infiltration and cross-sectional area of multifidus muscle in […]

Morphology of Cervical Spine Meniscoids in Individuals With Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorder: A Case-Control Study

Scott F. Farrell, PT Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2016 Volume:0 Issue:0 Pages:1–33 Study Design Case-control study. Background Cervical spine meniscoids are thought to contribute to neck pain and hypomobility in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorder (WAD), however their morphology has not been studied in a clinical population. Objectives To investigate cervical […]

Electroacupuncture and splinting versus splinting alone to treat carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

CMAJ September 6, 2016 vol. 188 no. 12 First published June 6, 2016, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.151003 Vincent C.H. Chung, PhD Abstract Background: The effectiveness of acupuncture for managing carpal tunnel syndrome is uncertain, particularly in patients already receiving conventional treatments (e.g., splinting). We aimed to assess the effects of electroacupuncture combined with splinting. Methods: We conducted […]

Disease-specific pain and function predict future pain impact in hip and knee osteoarthritis

Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Sep 6. [Epub ahead of print] Carlesso LC, Hawker GA, Waugh EJ, Davis AM. Abstract The objective of this study is to determine if osteoarthritis (OA) pain and function, persistent low back pain (LBP) and psychosocial factors predict future pain impact (PI) in people with hip and knee OA. In a population-based […]

Neck pain in children: a retrospective case series

J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2016 Sep; 60(3): 212–219. Jocelyn Cox, BPhEd, DC Abstract Introduction: Spinal pain in the paediatric population is a significant health issue, with an increasing prevalence as they age. Paediatric patients attend for chiropractor care for spinal pain, yet, there is a paucity of quality evidence to guide the practitioner with respect […]

Fat Thickness as a Risk Factor for Infection in Lumbar Spine Surgery

John J. Lee, MD Orthopedics Posted August 30, 2016 DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20160819-05 Abstract Body mass index does not account for body mass distribution. This study tested the hypothesis that subcutaneous fat thickness is a better indicator than body mass index of the risk of surgical site infection in lumbar spine procedures performed through a midline posterior […]

Swimming Improves Pain and Functional Capacity of Patients With Fibromyalgia

Swimming Improves Pain and Functional Capacity of Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Giovana Fernandes, MSc, Fabio Jennings, MD, PhD APM&R August 2016Volume 97, Issue 8, Pages 1269–1275 Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of swimming on pain, functional capacity, aerobic capacity, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Design Randomized controlled […]

Extensor/Flexor Ratio Associated With the Development of Knee Cartilage Degeneration

August 15, 2016 Osteoarthritis and Cartilage/OARS, Osteoarthritis Research Society TAKE-HOME MESSAGE People aged 50 to 60 years with no evidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) were followed for 48 months to assess the impact of thigh muscle strength on the progression of knee cartilage degeneration. Thigh extension strength was associated with thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). […]

Electrotherapy and acupuncture linked with decreased, delayed opioid use after TKA

Tedesco D, et al. JAMA Surg. 2017;doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.2872. August 16, 2017 Investigators found electrotherapy and acupuncture after total knee arthroplasty correlated with a decrease in and later use of opioids. Researchers performed a systematic review and found 5,509 studies of nonpharmacological interventions for postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty. Of these studies, 39 randomized controlled trials […]

Treatment of Progressive First Metatarsophalangeal Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Biomechanically Based Muscle-Strengthening Approach

Treatment of Progressive First Metatarsophalangeal Hallux Valgus Deformity: A Biomechanically Based Muscle-Strengthening Approach Authors: Ward M. Glasoe, PT, PhD, ATC Synopsis Hallux valgus is a progressive deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint that changes the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot. To date, surgery is the only treatment to correct this deformity, though the recurrence […]

The Effect of Velocity of Joint Mobilization on Corticospinal Excitability in Individuals With a History of Ankle Sprain

Authors: Beth E. Fisher, PT, PhD, FAPTA Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Background Joint mobilization and manipulation decrease pain and improve patient function. Yet, the processes underlying these changes are not well understood. Measures of corticospinal excitability provide insight into potential mechanisms mediated by the central nervous system. Objectives To investigate the differential effects of […]