Musculoskeletal System

Lumbar fusion compared with conservative treatment in patients with chronic low back pain: a meta-analysis

Int J Rehabil Res. 2014 Mar;37(1):2-8. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328363ba4b. Mikhail Saltychev 1, Merja Eskola, Katri Laimi PMID: 23820296 DOI: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328363ba4b Abstract We assess the effect of lumbar fusion (LF) in reducing disability among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared with conservative treatment and to weigh the clinical significance of this effect. We conducted a […]

Glucosamine: No cure for knee pain or deterioration, study says

March 11, 2014 by Monte Morin A daily glucosamine drink supplement failed to prevent deterioration of knee cartilage, reduce bone bruises or ease knee pain, according to a recent short-term study of the popular, if controversial, dietary product. In a paper published Tuesday in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, authors studied the effects of glucosamine […]

Brighton criteria for the diagnosis of Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome

Brighton criteria for the diagnosis of BJHS. Major Criteria • Beighton score of ≥ 4 (Fig. 2) • Arthralgia for longer than 3 months in 4 or more joints Minor Criteria • Beighton score of 1, 2, or 3 (Fig. 2) • Arthralgia (> 3-month duration) in 1-3 joints or back pain (> 3-month duration) […]

Pain, Impairment, Whiplash, and the New AMA Guides: What Clinicians Need to Know

By Arthur C. Croft, PhD(c), DC, MSc, MPH Full Story Close to 3 million Americans suffer whiplash each year. Whiplash now accounts for 45% of chronic neck pain in adults. The author discusses how new car design prevents fatal crashes but increases whiplash injuries…. Every year, approximately 3 million people in the United States suffer […]

Swiss ball enhances lumbar multifidus activity in chronic low back pain

I.R. Scott Objectives This study examined the effects of sitting surfaces on the cross-sectional area of lumbar multifidus (LM) in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) and healthy controls (HC). Design Cross-Sectional Case Controlled Study. Setting Isle of Man Institute of Sport. Participants 40 age and sex matched, sporting participants aged 18–45 years, recruited […]

The comparative effect of episodes of chiropractic and medical treatment on the health of older adults

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014 Mar-Apr;37(3):143-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.12.009. Epub 2014 Mar 11. The comparative effect of episodes of chiropractic and medical treatment on the health of older adults. Weigel P Abstract OBJECTIVES: The comparative effect of chiropractic vs medical care on health, as used in everyday practice settings by older adults, is not well understood. […]

Prevalence of thoracic spine pain in a surveillance network

Occup Med (Lond). 2015 Mar;65(2):122-5. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqu151. Epub 2014 Oct 24. N Fouquet PMID: 25344959 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqu151 Abstract Background: Back pain has long been identified as a major occupational health issue, but there are few prevalence studies on thoracic spine pain (TSP). The epidemiological surveillance of musculoskeletal disorders implemented in 2002 by the French Institute […]

Normal Values for Cervical Range of Motion

Spine: 01 March 2014 – Volume 39 – Issue 5 – p 362–367 doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000000158 Cervical Spine Swinkels, Raymond A. H. M. PhD*,†,‡; Swinkels-Meewisse, Ilse E. J. C. M. PhD†,‡ Collapse BoxAbstract Study Design. Cohort study. Objective. To generate normal values for active range of motion (ACROM) of the cervical spine in asymptomatic persons. Summary […]

Lumbar motion changes in chronic low back pain patients – SMT vs Exercises

Rune M. Mieritz, DC, PhD The Spine Journal Available online 7 March 2014 In Press Journal Reference Abstract Background Context Several therapies have been used in the treatment of chronic low back pain, including various exercise strategies and spinal manipulative therapy. A common belief is that spinal motion changes in particular ways in direct response […]

Catastrophizing – A Prognostic Factor for Outcome in Patients with Low Back Pain

Maria M. Wertli, MD The Spine Journal Available online 7 March 2014 In Press Abstract Background Context Psychological factors including catastrophizing thoughts are believed to influence the development of chronic low back pain. Purpose To assess the prognostic importance of catastrophizing as a coping strategy in patients with low back pain. Study Design Systematic Review […]

The Use of Dry Needling and Myofascial Meridians in a Case of Plantar Fasciitis

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine Available online 6 March 2014 Akhbari Behnam, PhD, PT Journal Reference Abstract Objective The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of dry needling based on myofascial meridians for management of plantar fasciitis. Clinical features A 53-year-old man presented with bilateral chronic foot pain for more than 2 […]

Coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Vascular Health and Risk Management » Volume 10 Authors Prasad M, Reriani M, Khosla S, Gössl M, Lennon R, Gulati R, Prasad A, Lerman L, Lerman A Received 5 March 2014 Accepted for publication 3 April 2014 Published 26 August 2014 Volume 2014:10 Pages 533—538 DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S63580 Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, […]

Spinal manipulation therapy for acute low back pain

NASS Contemporary Concepts in Spine Care: Spinal manipulation therapy for acute low back pain Simon Dagenais, DC, PhD The Spine Journal Volume 10, Issue 10 , Pages 918-940, October 2010 Journal Reference Abstract Background context Low back pain (LBP) continues to be a very prevalent, disabling, and costly spinal disorder. Numerous interventions are routinely used […]

Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Symptomatic Nerve Roots in Patients with Cervical Disc Herniation

Yue-Yao Chen Academic Radiology March 2014 Volume 21, Issue 3, Pages 338–344 Rationale and Objectives Cervical disc degeneration can result in nerve root compression and severe symptoms that significantly impair the patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate multiple diffusion metrics changes in the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of cervical […]

Patterns of lumbar disc degeneration are different in degenerative disc disease and disc prolapse magnetic resonance imaging analysis of 224 patients

The Spine Journal Volume 14, Issue 2, 1 February 2014, Pages 300–307 Rishi M. Kanna, MS, MRCS, FNB, Ajoy Prasad Shetty, MS, DNB, S. Rajasekaran, MS, MCh, FRCS(Ed), FRCS(London), FACS, PhD Abstract Background context Existing research on lumbar disc degeneration has remained inconclusive regarding its etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, prevention, and management. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) […]

Does physical activity influence the relationship between low back pain and obesity?

The Spine Journal February 1, 2014Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages 209–216 Matthew Smuck, MD Abstract Background context Evidence supporting an association between obesity and low back pain (LBP) continues to grow; yet little is known about the cause and effect of this relationship. Even less is known about the mechanisms linking the two. Physical activity […]

Structural Brain Alterations in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Preliminary Study [Full Text Article]

PLoS One Published: March 3, 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090816 Michael Luchtmann Abstract Chronic pain is one of the most common health complaints in industrial nations. For example, chronic low back pain (cLBP) disables millions of people across the world and generates a tremendous economic burden. While previous studies provided evidence of widespread functional as well as structural […]

Changes in Lumbar Disk Morphology Associated With Prolonged Sitting Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Billy GG, et al. Show all Journal PM R. 2014 Mar 2. pii: S1934-1482(14)00100-2. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.02.014. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine what if any changes occur to the lumbar disks in the spine after prolonged sitting with and without intermittent breaks during a 4-hour period. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: An […]

Current therapeutic approaches for plantar fasciitis

Orthopedic Research and Reviews Authors: Martinelli N, Bonifacini C, Romeo G Published Date March 2014 Volume 2014:6 Pages 33 – 40 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/ORR.S43126 Abstract: Almost 1 million Americans are affected by plantar fasciitis (PF), which is the commonest cause of chronic heel pain. This condition is often managed conservatively, and many rehabilitation protocols, some with […]

Comparative Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Treating Knee Joint Cartilage Degenerative Pathology

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Ke-Vin Chang, MD Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Volume 95, Issue 3 , Pages 562-575, March 2014 Abstract Objective To explore the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating cartilage degenerative pathology in knee joints. Data Sources Electronic databases, including PubMed and Scopus, were searched from the earliest record to […]