Musculoskeletal System

The Patellofemoral Foundation

A new online educational resource created by the Yale Medical Library for scientists, caregivers and patients with a particular interest in patellofemoral disorders. Story Source

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

Arthritis Res Ther. 2015; 17(1): 114. Published online 2015 May 7. doi: 10.1186/s13075-015-0629-y PMCID: PMC4422596 Andrew J Teichtahl, Donna M Urquhart, Yuanyuan Wang, Anita E Wluka, Richard O’Sullivan, Graeme Jones, and Flavia M . Abstract Introduction Although physical inactivity has been associated with numerous chronic musculoskeletal complaints, few studies have examined its associations with spinal […]

The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function

McKeon PO, Hertel J, Bramble D, et al. The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2015;49:290. Abstract The foot is a complex structure with many articulations and multiple degrees of freedom that play an important role in static posture and dynamic activities. The evolutionary […]

Both PUFA and Placebo Ease Aromatase-Linked Arthralgias

5/5/15 by Diana Swift Contributing Writer Action Points Aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias were equally reduced by omega-3 fatty acids and soybean-corn oil placebo in breast cancer patients. Triglyceride levels were reduced by omega-3 fatty acids and not by placebo, but there were no differences in LDL or HDL cholesterol or CRP. The arthralgias that reduce quality […]

Role of stress and smoking in back pain in women

Role of Stress and Smoking as Modifiable Risk Factors for Non-persistent and Persistent Back Pain in Women. Schmelzer, Amy C. DO, MS, MPH; Salt, Elizabeth PhD, APRN; Wiggins, Amanda PhD; Crofford, Leslie J. MD; Bush, Heather PhD; Mannino, David M. MD The Clinical Journal of Pain Post Acceptance: April 15, 2015 Abstract Objective: The purpose […]

Posture, Back Muscles and Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Asian Spine J v.9(2); 2015 Apr PMC4404528 Asian Spine J. 2015 Apr; 9(2): 162–169. Published online 2015 Apr 15. doi:  10.4184/asj.2015.9.2.162 PMCID: PMC4404528 What Is the Effect of Spino-Pelvic Sagittal Parameters and Back Muscles on Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture? Dae-Hee Kim, Dong-Hyuk Choi, Ji-Hun Park, Jung-Ho Lee, and Yong-Soo Choi Author information ►Article notes ►Copyright and License information ► Abstract Study Design Case control study. Purpose To […]

The Clinical Course of Pain and Function in Older Adults With a New Primary Care Visit for Back Pain

Sean D. Rundell, DPT, PhD, Karen J. Sherman, PhD, MPH, Patrick J. Heagerty, PhD, Charles N. Mock, MD, PhD, MPH, Jeffrey G. Jarvik, MD, MPHh Disclosures J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015;63(3):524-530. ABSTRACT AND INTRODUCTION Abstract Objectives To report the clinical course of older adults presenting for a new primary care visit for back pain, no healthcare visit […]

MRI-Detected Bone Marrow Changes Linked to Low Back Pain

5/2/15 Action Points   Note that this relatively small study found that specific changes in lumbar bone marrow were associated with low back pain. Be aware that, after adjustment, changes in these marrow findings were not associated with changes in pain, but were associated with changes in disability. Vertebral subchondral bone marrow changes visible on […]

Effects of Mobilization With Movement on Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Unilateral Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Effects of Mobilization With Movement on Pain and Range of Motion in Patients With Unilateral Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial José A. Delgado-Gil, PT, Eva Prado-Robles, OT, Daiana P. Rodrigues-de-Souza, PT, MsC, Joshua A. Cleland, PT, PhD, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, PT, PhD, Francisco Alburquerque-Sendín, PT, PhD Objective The purpose of this study was to […]

Runners with CLBP exhibit weak quads and activation in lumbar multifidus

Low Back And Lower Limb Muscle Performance In Male And Female Recreational Runners With Chronic Low Back Pain Authors: Congcong Cai, MSc J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 21 Apr 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5460 Study Design Controlled Laboratory Study; Cross-sectional. Objective To compare lumbar extensor muscle fatigability, lumbar muscle activation, and lower limb strength between male and […]

The relationship between obesity, low back pain, and lumbar disc degeneration when genetics and the environment are considered

The relationship between obesity, low back pain, and lumbar disc degeneration when genetics and the environment are considered: a systematic review of twin studies Amabile B. Dario, MSc The Spine Journal Volume 15, Issue 5, 1 May 2015, Pages 1106–1117 Abstract Background context The relationships between obesity and low back pain (LBP) and lumbar disc […]

Systematic literature review of imaging features of spinal degeneration in asymptomatic populations

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Apr;36(4):811-6. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A4173. Epub 2014 Nov 27. Brinjikji W Abstract BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Degenerative changes are commonly found in spine imaging but often occur in pain-free individuals as well as those with back pain. We sought to estimate the prevalence, by age, of common degenerative spine conditions by performing a […]

Effectiveness of different styles of massage therapy in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Manual Therapy Volume 20, Issue 2, April 2015, Pages 257-264 Systematic review Susan Lee KingYuan Abstract The systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of massage in fibromyalgia. An electronic search was conducted at MEDLINE, SCiELO, EMBASE, ISI, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL and LILACS (Jan 1990–May 2013). Ten randomized and non-randomized controlled trials investigating […]

Predictor variables for forward scapular posture including posterior shoulder tightness

Biomechanics researchVolume 19, Issue 2p253-260 April 2015 Download Full Issue Ji-Hyun Lee, MS, PT Summary The purpose of this study was (1) to determine the relationships between the degree of forward scapular posture and the pectoralis minor index, the strength of the serratus anterior, the thoracic spine angle, and posterior shoulder tightness, and (2) to […]

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated With Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

APM&R.  May 2015. Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 944–955 Lin Liu, MSc Abstract Objective To evaluate current evidence of the effectiveness of dry needling of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) associated with neck and shoulder pain. Data Sources PubMed, EBSCO, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalKey, Wanfang Data Chinese database, China Knowledge Resource Integrated […]

Predictors for Identifying Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Responding to Femoral Nerve Mobilization

APH&R. May 2015Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 920–927 Bing-Yao Huang, MS Abstract Objective To identify the predictors for successful neurodynamic management in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Design Prospective cohort, prediction rule study. Setting Hospital. Participants Patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (N=51) underwent clinical examination and measurement of physical parameters, including femoral slump test, lower-extremity […]

Effectiveness of Dry Needling on the Lower Trapezius in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

APM&R. May 2015Volume 96, Issue 5, Pages 775–781 Daniel Pecos-Martín, PhD Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of dry needling into a myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the lower trapezius muscle of patients with mechanical idiopathic neck pain. Design A single-center, randomized, double-blinded controlled study. Setting Patients were recruited from the student population of a local […]

Increased Omega 3 and Restricted Omega 6 in Diet Helps Quality of Life in Headache Patients

April 23, 2015 Targeted Alterations in Dietary n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids Improve Life Functioning and Reduce Psychological Distress Among Patients With Chronic Headache Pain TAKE-HOME MESSAGE There is a known association of headache with psychological distress. This in turn exacerbates the headache, and ultimately negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This is a […]

Topical Gel Promising in Migraine

Pauline Anderson April 24, 2015 WASHINGTON, DC — A fast-acting transdermal gel using a proprietary formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketoprofen (Topofen, Achelios Therapeutics) reduced pain severity in patients with severe migraine with and without aura compared with placebo and had few adverse effects. Results from a phase 2a trial of the gel […]

Short-Term Effectiveness of Precut Kinesiology Tape Versus an NSAID as Adjuvant Treatment to Exercise for Subacromial Impingement

Clin J Sport Med. 2015 Apr 24. [Epub ahead of print] Short-Term Effectiveness of Precut Kinesiology Tape Versus an NSAID as Adjuvant Treatment to Exercise for Subacromial Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Devereaux M, Velanoski KQ, Pennings A, Elmaraghy A. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effectiveness of precut kinesiology tape (PCT) to a nonsteroidal […]