Musculoskeletal System

Patellofemoral Joint Stress During Weight-Bearing and Non—Weight-Bearing Quadriceps Exercises

A common component of rehabilitation for patients with patellofemoral paint (PFP) includes strengthening of the quadriceps, performed both in an open- and closed-kinetic chain manner (non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing respectively). Clinicians must consider exercise prescription with respect to minimising patellofemoral joint (PFJ) loading. The aim of the following study was to compare patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stress […]

Web-based therapeutic exercise resource center as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis

A prospective cohort pilot study BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 05/19/2014  Evidence Based Medicine Clinical Article Brooks MA, et al. – Although beneficial effects of exercise in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) have been established, only 14 –18% of patients with knee OA receive an exercise from their primary care provider. Patients with knee OA cite […]

Yoga for managing knee osteoarthritis in older women

A pilot randomized controlled trial BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 05/19/2014 Clinical Article Story Source Journal Reference Cheung C, et al. – This study’s aims were to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a Hatha yoga exercise program in managing osteoarthritis (OA)–related symptoms in older women with knee OA. A weekly yoga program with […]

Plantar fasciitis and its relationship with big toe range of motion and pronation of the foot

Plantar fasciitis and its relationship with hallux limitus. AuthorsAranda Y, et al. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2014 May;104(3):263-8. doi: 10.7547/0003-0538-104.3.263. Abstract Background : We sought to determine whether patients with plantar fasciitis have limited dorsiflexion in the first metatarsophalangeal joint and which type of foot, pronated or supinated, is most frequently associated with plantar […]

Effects of Pelvic Adjustment on Female University Students’ Gait Variables – Full Text

Misuk Cho, PhD, PT J Phys Ther Sci. May 2014; 26(5): 759–762. Published online May 29, 2014. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.759 Full Text Article Abstract [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of pelvic adjustment using Gonstead techniques on posture in female university students. [Subjects] In this study, 30 female university students were […]

Chronic Pain: When Is It Truly Fibromyalgia? – Slide Show

Patients with fibromyalgia typically suffer for many years—and frequently are exposed to unnecessary, expensive, or invasive interventions—before being properly diagnosed. Do you know how to distinguish this disorder from other conditions that cause chronic pain? Full Story & Slide Show (password is – 3939)

The neck and headaches

Authors Bogduk N1. Journal Neurol Clin. 2014 May;32(2):471-87. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2013.11.005. Epub 2014 Feb 28. Abstract Cervicogenic headache is pain referred to the head from a source in the cervical spine or mediated by cervical nerves. Clinical features allow for no more than a diagnosis of probable cervicogenic headache. Definitive diagnosis requires evidence of a cervical […]

Manipulating the Pain: Chiropractic and Other “Alternative” Treatments for Back Pain – Video

This is a video from the National Institute of Health. You are going to have to be a nerd like me to watch this, but since it is a lecture from a doctor I highly respect, it was easier for me : )  Runtime: 00:57:33 [Watch video]

Longitudinal associations between incident lumbar spine MRI findings and chronic low back pain or radicular symptoms

Retrospective analysis of data from the longitudinal assessment of imaging and disability of the back (LAIDBACK) BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 05/13/2014 Evidence Based Medicine  Clinical Article Suri P, et al. – There are few longitudinal cohort studies examining associations between incident MRI findings and incident spine–related symptom outcomes. Prior studies do not discriminate between the two distinct outcomes […]

Myofascial origin of shoulder pain: A literature review

Stanislav Sergienko, BPT, Leonid Kalichman, PT, PhD Published Online: May 14, 2014 Summary Background Shoulder pain is a common problem imposing a considerable burden on the affected person and society. Since interventions targeting traditional musculoskeletal conditions are usually only moderately effective, myofascial origin can be suggested as an alternative possible source of shoulder pain. Objectives […]

Posterolateral Hip Muscle Strengthening Versus Quadriceps Strengthening for Patellofemoral Pain: A Comparative Control Trial

Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation May 2014 Volume 95, Issue 5, Pages 900–907 Khalil Khayambashi, PT, PhD Abstract Objective To compare the efficacy of posterolateral hip muscle strengthening versus quadriceps strengthening in reducing pain and improving health status in persons with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Design Comparative control trial. Setting Rehabilitation facility. Participants Persons with […]

Longitudinal associations between incident lumbar spine MRI findings and chronic low back pain or radicular symptoms

Longitudinal associations between incident lumbar spine MRI findings and chronic low back pain or radicular symptoms: retrospective analysis of data from the longitudinal assessment of imaging and disability of the back (LAIDBACK) Pradeep Suri BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders201415:152 https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-15-152 ©  Suri et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014 Received: 20 November 2013 Accepted: 6 May 2014 Published: 13 May 2014 Abstract Background There are few longitudinal […]

Indications, benefits, and risks of pilates exercise for people with chronic low back pain

A Delphi survey of pilates-trained physical therapists Physical Therapy, 05/12/2014 Clinical Article Wells C, et al. – The objective of this study was to establish a consensus regarding the indications, contraindications, and precautions of Pilates exercise and the potential benefits and risks of Pilates exercise for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). These findings […]

The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for different stages of non-specific low back pain: an update of systematic reviews – Full Text Article

J Man Manip Ther. 2014 May; 22(2): 59–74. doi: 10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000041 PMCID: PMC4017797 PMID: 24976749 Benjamin Hidalgo Abstract Objective to review and update the evidence for different forms of manual therapy (MT) for patients with different stages of non-specific low back pain (LBP). Data sources MEDLINE, Cochrane-Register-of-Controlled-Trials, PEDro, EMBASE. Method A systematic review of MT with […]

Use of Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation for Neck Pain and Headache in a Patient Following Multiple-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Case Report.

Salvatori R, et al. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014 May 10. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract Study Design Case report. Background Thoracic spine thrust manipulation has been shown to be an effective intervention for individuals experiencing mechanical neck pain. Case Description The patient was a 46 year-old female referred to outpatient physical therapy 2-months following […]

Bone Changes in Spine Disease Worse With Inflammation

Published: May 10, 2014 By Nancy Walsh, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today Action Points Disease activity appears to correlate and contribute longitudinally to radiographic progression in the spine in ankylosing spondylitis. The effect was higher in males versus females and in patients with less years of symptom duration.   High disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis […]

Myofascial trigger points in patients with whiplash-associated disorders and mechanical neck pain

Pain Med. 2014 May;15(5):842-9. doi: 10.1111/pme.12429. Epub 2014 Mar 18. Castaldo M, Ge HY, Chiarotto A, Villafane JH, Arendt-Nielsen L. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate pain patterns and the distribution of myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in whiplash-associated disorders (WADs II and III) as compared with mechanical neck pain (MNP). METHODS: […]

The timing of surgery in lumbar disc prolapse: A systematic review

Indian Journal of Orthopedic Surgery Year : 2014  |  Volume : 48  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 127-135 Ashutosh B Sabnis, Ashish D Diwan Abstract Herniation of nucleus pulposus leading to leg pain is the commonest indication for lumbar spine surgery. However, there is no consensus when to stop conservative treatment and when […]

Adolescent cervical disc degeneration in MRI does not predict adult headache or neck pain

Adolescent cervical disc degeneration in MRI does not predict adult headache or neck pain: A 5-year follow-up of adolescents with and without headache. Laimi K, et al. Cephalalgia. 2014. Abstract AIM: The impact of early degenerative changes of the cervical spine on pain in adulthood is unknown. The objective was to determine whether degeneration in […]

Limited hip range of motion may cause elbow injury in pitchers

May 8, 2014 Pitchers who limit the range of motion in their hips could cause injury to their elbow, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting. Researchers measured pre-season dominant and non-dominant internal (IR), external (ER) and total arc (TA) range of motion (ROM) in seven Division 1 […]