Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 27, issue 3

Authors: Gopal, Hari | Mc Crory, Connail

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Chronic coccygodynia accounts for 1% of all back pain referrals and very difficult to treat with an enormous functional deficit. Objective: The purpose of this case series was to examine the effectiveness of pulsed radiofrequency treatment to the Ganglion of Impar in chronic coccygodynia patients unresponsive to comprehensive medical management. Methods: Coccygodynia is defined as pain in and around the coccyx [1,2]. This retrospective review of twenty patients with a clinical diagnosis of coccygodynia and failed medical management treated with pulsed radio frequency applied to the Ganglion of Impar between January 2009 to December 2011 …was carried out. A successful outcome was defined as > 50% improvement in pain on the visual analogue scale at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Results: The application of pulsed radio frequency to the Ganglion of Impar was successful in fifteen (75%) patients and their mean pre treatment visual analogue scale score of 6.53 was reduced to 0.93 at 6 and 12 months follow up. In five (25%) patients the treatment was not successful and there was no difference between mean pre and post treatment visual analogue scale scores. Conclusion: We conclude that pulsed radio frequency treatment of the Ganglion of Impar should be considered when coccygodynia has proven resistant to medical management. Show more

Keywords: Pulsed radio frequency, coccygodynia, Ganglion of Impar

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140454

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 349-354, 2014

Authors: Nam, Soo-Jin | Kim, Min-Jeong | Yim, So-Jung | Oh, Duck-Won | Park, Hyun-Ju | Kim, Chang-Yong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of walking speed on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles during treadmill high-heeled walking at different shoe heel heights. Methods: Twenty-five young healthy women volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects performed treadmill walking at speeds of 3 km/h and 6 km/h for 30 seconds under 3 high-heeled conditions: barefoot, 3-cm heels, and 7-cm heels. Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from standard sites on the RA and ES muscles during treadmill walking. Results: For all heel heights, the …EMG activity of the RA and ES muscles was significantly higher at the 6 km/h speed than at the 3 km/h speed (p < 0.05). Furthermore, EMG activity increased significantly with increasing shoe heel height, regardless of the walking speed (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that walking speed and shoe heel height may contribute to the increased activity of the trunk muscle during high-heeled walking. This study provides information for future studies performed with the aim of predicting possible changes in trunk muscle activity during high-heeled walking. Show more

Keywords: Electromyography, erector spinae, high-heeled shoes, walking speed

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140455

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 355-360, 2014

Authors: Malliou, P. | Rokka, S. | Beneka, A. | Gioftsidou, A. | Mavromoustakos, S. | Godolias, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: There is limited information on injury patterns in Step Aerobic Instructors (SAI) who exclusively execute “step” aerobic classes. Objective: To record the type and the anatomical position in relation to diagnosis of muscular skeletal injuries in step aerobic instructors. Also, to analyse the days of absence due to chronic injury in relation to weekly working hours, height of the step platform, working experience and working surface and footwear during the step class. Methods: The Step Aerobic Instructors Injuries Questionnaire was developed, and then validity and reliability indices were calculated. 63 SAI completed the questionnaire. For …the statistical analysis of the data, the method used was the analysis of frequencies, the non-parametric test χ 2 (chi square distribution), correlation and linear and logistic regressions analysis from the SPSS statistical package. Results: 63 SAI reported 115 injuries that required more than 2 days absence from step aerobic classes. The chronic lower extremity injuries were 73.5%, with the leg pain, the anterior knee pain, the plantar tendinopathy and the Achilles tendinopathy being most common overuse syndromes. The working hours, the platform height, the years of aerobic dance seem to affect the days of absence due to chronic lower limb injury occurrence in SAI. Show more

Keywords: Leg pain, intensity, platform height, floor material, working hours

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140456

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 361-370, 2014

Authors: Nava-Bringas, Tania Inés | Ramírez-Mora, Isabel | Coronado-Zarco, Roberto | Macías-Hernández, Salvador Israel | Cruz-Medina, Eva | Arellano-Hernández, Aurelia | Hernández-López, Mario | León-Hernández, S.R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose: To analyze the relationship of strength, muscular balance, and atrophy with pain and function in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Study Design: Transversal, descriptive, and observational. Patients and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. Twenty six patients ages 50 years and older, with degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4–L5. Measurements included Pain Visual Analogue Scale scores (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index scores (ODI), and isokinetic trunk testing; assessment of multifidus atrophy and spinal stenosis was performed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Statistics: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0 software for Windows. …Pearson's correlation was used to ascertain the correlation between variables. ANOVA with analysis of covariance was used to determine the correlation between the remainder variables. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 26 patients studied, with an average age of 60.23 ± 7.6 years, 20 had grade I spondylolisthesis and 6 were grade II. Correlation between the ODI scores and spondylolisthesis grading was significant (r=0.576, p=0.005); correlation between agonist/antagonist ratio in the isokinetic test (predominant extensor muscles over flexors) with the ODI scores was also significant (r=0.446, p=0.02), regardless of spinal stenosis. No correlation was found between functionality and pain with strength or multifidus atrophy. Conclusion: Muscle trunk imbalance with predominance of extensor over flexor muscles is associated with functional disability. Rehabilitation programs should be designed to improve muscle balance rather than muscle strength alone. Show more

Keywords: Multifidus atrophy, degenerative spondylolisthesis, pain, functionality, strength

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140457

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 371-376, 2014