Musculoskeletal System

Anterior knee pain: Remember to look up and be aware of structural anomalies

Patellofemoral Update focuses on the causes, prevention and treatment of patellofemoral disorders. The blog is sponsored by The Patellofemoral Foundation whose mission is to improve the care of individuals with anterior knee pain through targeted education and research. The Patellofemoral Foundation offers additional online education resources on its website.   Thursday, May 8, 2014 Unfortunately, when an orthopedic surgeon sees a […]

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

The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for different stages of non-specific low back pain: an update of systematic reviews. Hidalgo B1, Detrembleur C1, Hall T2, Mahaudens P3, Nielens H3. J Man Manip Ther. 2014 May;22(2):59-74. doi: 10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000041. PubMed Reference Abstract OBJECTIVE: to review and update the evidence for different forms of manual therapy (MT) […]

Treat Car Crash Pain Early On To Avoid Chronicity

Treat Car Crash Pain Early On, Lest It Linger Published: May 5, 2014 By Ed Susman , Contributing Writer, MedPage Today Action Points Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. TAMPA — […]

Acute effects of rearfoot manipulation on dynamic standing balance in healthy individuals

Wassinger Craig Manual Therapy Volume 19, Issue 3 , Pages 242-245, June 2014 Dynamic standing balance is essential to perform functional activities and is included in the treatment of many lower extremity injuries. Physiotherapists utilize many methods to restore standing balance including stability exercises, functional retraining, and manual therapy. The purpose of this study was […]

Will That Disc Herniation Get Better?

May 3, 2014 by Dr Matthew D. Long One of the most important aspects of patient care is offering an accurate prognosis for any given condition. Whether we see our role as an expert diagnostician in the neuromusculoskeletal system, or in a more functional role as a facilitator of greater wellbeing, our patients do expect […]

Two-year comprehensive medical management of degenerative lumbar spine disease : a value analysis of cost, pain, disability, and quality of life

Two-year comprehensive medical management of degenerative lumbar spine disease (lumbar spondylolisthesis, stenosis, or disc herniation): a value analysis of cost, pain, disability, and quality of life. Parker SL, et al. J Neurosurg Spine. 2014 May 2. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract Object Current health care reform calls for a reduction of procedures and treatments that […]

Characteristics of selected parameters of body posture in patients with hip osteoarthritis

Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2014 May-Jun;16(3):351-60. doi: 10.5604/15093492.1112959. Truszczyńska A1, Drzał-Grabiec J2, Rąpała K3, Tarnowski A4, Górniak K5, Białecki J6. Abstract BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common disorder of the musculoskeletal system. A unilateral change in the hip joint changes the position of the pelvis and spine, and therefore the patient’s body posture. Due to the […]

PERSPECTIVES FOR PATIENTS – Knee Pain: Safely Strengthening Your Thigh Muscles

Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2014, Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Pages: 328-328 Abstract Quadriceps are the muscles on the front of your thigh that help you straighten your knee. When these muscles are not strong, you may feel pain under your kneecap. Quadriceps can be strengthened by performing squats and leg extensions. However, […]

Citing Fracture Risk, Watchdog Group Sues FDA to Force GERD Drug Warning

Published: Apr 30, 2014 By Elbert Chu The FDA failed to respond to a 2011 petition demanding strong warnings about proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), according to a Public Citizen’s lawsuit filed today. Public Citizen’s lawsuit seeks a ruling from the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia that the FDA unlawfully withheld action, and calls for an […]

Comprehensive Exercise Program vs Advice for Chronic Whiplash

Research · April 03, 2014 The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 4 April 2014 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60457-8 TAKE-HOME MESSAGE In this two-group, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial involving patients with chronic whiplash–associated disorder, patients were randomly assigned to either a comprehensive exercise program (n = 86) or advice (n = 86). In terms of pain reduction, the comprehensive exercise […]

Spinal traction promotes molecular transportation in a simulated degenerative intervertebral disc model

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2014 Apr 20;39(9):E550-6. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000269. Kuo YW1, Hsu YC, Chuang IT, Chao PH, Wang JL. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Biomechanical experiment using an in situ porcine model. OBJECTIVE: To find the effect of traction treatment on annulus microstructure, molecular convection, and cell viability of degraded discs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal traction […]

The effect of manual therapy techniques on headache disability in patients with tension-type headache

Espí-López G, et al. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2014 Apr 30. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract BACKGROUND: Tensiontype headache (TTH) is the most common type of primary headache however there is no clear evidence as to which specific treatment is most effective or whether combined treatment is more effective than individual treatments. AIM: To […]

Uric Acid Linked to Fracture Risk

 — Older men with higher uric acid levels may be at increased risk for hip fracture, researchers reported here. by Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today April 28, 2014 AS VEGAS — Older men with higher uric acid levels may be at increased risk for hip fracture, researchers reported here. In a prospective cohort study, […]

Effects of Spinal Stabilization Exercise on the Cross-sectional Areas of the Lumbar Multifidus and Psoas Major Muscles, Pain Intensity, and Lumbar Muscle Strength of Patients with Degenerative Disc Disease

J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Apr;26(4):579-82. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.579. Epub 2014 Apr 23. Kim S Abstract [Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using spinal stabilizing exercise to reduce atrophy of the multifidus and psoas major muscles, reduce the levels of pain and disability, and increase paraspinal muscle strength in patients […]

Sacroiliac joint pain: burden of disease

Med Devices (Auckl). 2014 Apr 12;7:73-81. doi: 10.2147/MDER.S59437. eCollection 2014. Cher D Abstract OBJECTIVES: The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is an important and significant cause of low back pain. We sought to quantify the burden of disease attributable to the SIJ. METHODS: The authors compared EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) and Short Form (SF)-36-based health state utility values […]

FDA Issues Warning on Common Off-Label Neck, Back Pain Treatment

PT in Motion – News Now THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 FDA Issues Warning on Common Off-Label Neck, Back Pain Treatment The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning (.pdf) about the dangers of administering epidural injections of corticosteroids to relieve neck and back pain. According to the FDA, the off-label use could result in […]

Tapping into controversial back surgeries

By BEN EISLER CBS NEWS April 24, 2014, 6:30 AM Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans go to the doctor, and one of the fastest growing treatments is spinal fusion surgery. From 2001 to 2011, the number of spinal fusions in U.S. hospitals increased 70 percent, making them more frequently performed […]

FDA Orders New Warning for Epidural Steroids

Published: Apr 23, 2014 By John Gever, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today Injectable corticosteroids must now carry a new label warning about the risks of severe adverse effects from epidural injections including death, stroke, and permanent blindness and paralysis, the FDA said. The agency decided that such a warning is needed after reviewing numerous reports […]

Spinal Corticosteroids Run Risk of Severe Neuro Effects

Robert Lowes April 23, 2014 Epidural injections of corticosteroids to relieve pain — a widespread, off-label use — run the rare risk for blindness, stroke, paralysis, and death, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today. The FDA is requiring manufacturers of corticosteroids to revise drug labels to include this warning. In today’s announcement, […]

A History of Lumbar Disc Herniation From Hippocrates to the 1990s

Truumees E. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2014 Apr 22. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract In ancient times, a supernatural understanding of the syndrome of lumbar radiculopathy often involved demonic forces vexing the individual with often crippling pain. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians began to take a more naturalistic view and, critically, suspected a relationship between […]