Musculoskeletal System

The effects of cervical joint manipulation, based on passive motion analysis, on cervical lordosis, forward head posture, and cervical ROM in university students with abnormal posture of the cervical spine

Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 27 (2015) No. 5 May p. 1609-1611 Wontae Gong [Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cervical posture manipulation, based on passive motion analysis (MBPMA) and general mobilization, on cervical lordosis, forward head posture (FHP), and cervical ROM in university students with problems in […]

Piriformis Syndrome Elusive Obvious

Simplicity works! One of my favorite sayings and a way of living I aspire to follow. Too often we overcomplicate the hell out of everything, especially in the pain game. “It can’t be that simple man!’Well, it can and often is. Keep in mind, simple does not mean easy. If it was, more people would be doing it. […]

Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark

Phytother Res. 2015 May 22. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5377. [Epub ahead of print] Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts. Shara M, Stohs SJ. Abstract Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. In spite of its long history of use, relatively few human and animal […]

The evaluation of lumbar multifidus muscle function via palpation: reliability and validity of a new clinical test

Jeffrey J. Hebert, DC, PhD The Spine Journal Volume 15, Issue 6, 1 June 2015, Pages 1196–1202 Abstract Background context The lumbar multifidus muscle provides an important contribution to lumbar spine stability, and the restoration of lumbar multifidus function is a frequent goal of rehabilitation. Currently, there are no reliable and valid physical examination procedures […]

Effectiveness of small daily amounts of progressive resistance training for frequent neck/shoulder pain

Pain. 2011 Feb;152(2):440-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2010.11.016. Epub 2010 Dec 21. Effectiveness of small daily amounts of progressive resistance training for frequent neck/shoulder pain: randomised controlled trial. Andersen LL, Saervoll CA, Mortensen OS, Poulsen OM, Hannerz H, Zebis MK. Abstract Regular physical exercise is a cornerstone in rehabilitation programs, but adherence to comprehensive exercise remains low. This […]

Low back pain: A biomechanical rationale based on “patterns” of disc degeneration

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 May 20. [Epub ahead of print] Von Forell GA1 Stephens TK, Samartzis D, Bowden AE. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: A nonlinear finite element study of a lumbar spine with different “patterns” of multi-level intervertebral disc degeneration. OBJECTIVE: To determine how different patterns of multi-level disc degeneration influence the biomechanical behavior of the […]

Hip Function and Predictors of Subjective Outcomes in Individuals With a History of Low Back Pain

Mark A. Sutherlin, MS, ATC, CSCS; Joseph M. Hart, PhD, ATC Athletic Training and Sports Health Care May/June 2015 – Volume 7 · Issue 3: 108-116 Posted May 13, 2015 DOI: 10.3928/19425864-20150422-06 Increased fatigability of the trunk and hip extensors has been reported in individuals with a history of low back pain. However, muscle function […]

Oral Steroids for Acute Radiculopathy Due to a Herniated Lumbar Disk

Oral Steroids for Acute Radiculopathy Due to a Herniated Lumbar Disk: A Randomized Clinical Trial Harley Goldberg, DO JAMA. 2015;313(19):1915-1923. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.4468. Importance Oral steroids are commonly used to treat acute sciatica due to a herniated disk but have not been evaluated in an appropriately powered clinical trial. Objective To determine if oral prednisone is more effective […]

Smokers With Vertebral Fractures Are at Higher Risk of Thoracic Kyphosis

May 20, 2015—Denver, Colorado—Smokers with vertebral fractures are at increased risk of thoracic kyphosis. This outcome of a comparative study was reported at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society from May 15 – 20. Elizabeth Anne Regan, MD, PhD of National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, explained that severe chest deformity has been associated […]

Sympathetic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

Clinical Journal of Pain: Post Acceptance: May 08, 2015 doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000250 Sympathetic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. El-Badawy, Mohja A. MD; El Mikkawy, Dalia M. E. MD Abstract Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is defined as pain that persists longer than 12 weeks and is often […]

Do Injections Work For Knee Pain? Don’t Waste Your Money

FORBES.COM MAY 18, 2015 Steven Salzberg CONTRIBUTOR As spring turns into summer, we spend more time outdoors, exercising, gardening, or just walking around. And for many people, more exercise means knee pain. Count me among the afflicted. Several people, including my orthopedic specialist, have suggested that I try injections of hyaluronic acid to treat my […]

Workout May Ease Pain in Women With Fibromyalgia

Muscle strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness impact physical pain and negative attitudes by Diana Swift, Contributing Writer May 17, 2015 A strong association exists between higher physical fitness and lower levels of pain, less psychological over-reaction (catastrophizing) to pain, and higher chronic-pain self-efficacy in women with fibromyalgia (FM), according to a recent Spanish study. In addition, muscle strength and […]

Common questions about chronic low back pain Am Fam Physician

Am Fam Physician. 2015 May 15;91(10):708-14. Common questions about chronic low back pain. Herndon CM, Zoberi KS, Gardner BJ. Abstract More than 30% of U.S. adults report having experienced low back pain within the preceding three months. Although most low back pain is nonspecific and self-limiting, a subset of patients develop chronic low back pain, […]

Certain Knee Cartilage Changes Over Time Predict Replacement Need

5/14/15 Patients who underwent knee replacement exhibited less cartilage thickness at baseline and, over time, greater lateral and location-independent femorotibial cartilage loss than those who did not get replacement, researchers said. Furthermore, location-independent analysis of change in cartilage thickness predicted future knee replacement. These were among the findings of a U.S.-European prospective cohort study published […]

The recognition and treatment of superior labral (slap) lesions in the overhead athlete – Video

A wide variety of pathology may affect the superior aspect of the labrum. Clinical examination is often difficult due to the numerous injury mechanisms and the widely varied extent of labral pathology. Proper identification of the exact mechanism and specific severity of pathology is vital to accurately diagnose and manage these injuries. Surgical procedures to address SLAP lesions vary from minimal debridement […]

BPPV Associated with Increased Fracture Risk

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Is Associated With An Increased Risk Of Fracture: A Population-Based Cohort Study Authors: Wen-Ling Liao, PT Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2015, Volume: 45 Issue: 5 Pages: 406-412 doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5707 Study Design A nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study. Objectives To investigate whether benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is associated […]

The Efficacy Of Manual Therapy For Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

The Efficacy Of Manual Therapy For Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Ariel Desjardins-Charbonneau, PT, MSc Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2015, Volume: 45 Issue: 5 Pages: 330-350 doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5455 Study Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy (MT) for patients with rotator cuff (RC) […]

Body Composition May Hasten Hip OA

Action Points Increased BMI and body fat mass were associated with adverse hip cartilage changes in females, while increased body fat-free mass was associated with beneficial cartilage changes for both genders. It is yet unknown if altering body composition to reduce body fat mass and increase fat-free mass changes the natural history of osteoarthritis. Higher […]

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial of Oxymorphone Hydrochloride and Propoxyphene/Acetaminophen Combination for the Treatment of Neurogenic Claudication Associated With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Markman, John D. MD Spine15 May 2015Vol. 40 – Issue 10: p 684–691Abstract Study Design. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose crossover study. Objective. To test the analgesic efficacy of oxymorphone hydrochloride (OH) and propoxyphene/acetaminophen (PA) for patients with neurogenic claudication associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. Summary of Background Data. Although opioids are often prescribed for neurogenic […]

Physical inactivity is associated with narrower lumbar intervertebral discs, high fat content of paraspinal muscles and low back pain and disability

Andrew J Teichtahl Arthritis Research & Therapy 2015, 17:114 doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0629-y The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://arthritis-research.com/content/17/1/114 Published: 7 May 2015 © 2015 Teichtahl et al.; licensee BioMed Central. Introduction Although physical inactivity has been associated with numerous chronic musculoskeletal complaints, few studies have examined […]