Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 31, issue 4

Authors: Alemdar, Murat

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Comparison of sensory conduction of median nerve (MN) with the one of ulnar nerve (UN) over writs-to-ring finger (RF) segment is useful in electrodiagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, there is not any consensus regarding the usage of this technique in grading of CTS. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the hands of CTS with elicitable MN sensory responses on index finger, but not on RF (non-respondings) compose a more severe electrophysiologic grade than the hands with elicitable responses on both fingers (respondings). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients with bilateral moderate grade of CTS in whom …one hand was responding and the contralateral hand was non-responding were included. Conduction study results of MN and UN were compared between respondings and non-respondings. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included. Mean distal sensory onset latency (DSOL) of MN over index finger was longer (4.26 ± 0.49 msec versus 3.44 ± 0.39 msec; p < 0.001), sensory conduction velocity (SCV) was slower (33.7 ± 4.3 m/sec versus 40.2 ± 3.0 m/sec; p < 0.001), SNAP amplitude was smaller (10.3 ± 3.3 μ V versus 19.1 ± 7.7 μ V; p < 0.001), distal motor latency was longer (5.69 ± 0.60 msec versus 4.63 ± 0.32 msec; p < 0.001), and minimum F wave latency was longer (29.3 ± 1.7 msec versus 26.8 ± 1.4 msec; p < 0.001) in non-respondings than respondings. The nonresponding hand had a longer MN DSOL and slower SCV on index finger compared with contralateral responding hand in all of 19 patients. CONCLUSION: Non-responding hands have more progressed median neuropathies, and represent a more severe electrophysiologic grade than responding hands. Further studies are warranted to determine whether the absence of MN sensory responses on ring finger is related with forthcoming NCS worsening and a preferable hallmark for deciding surgical intervention or not. Show more

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome, median nerve, ulnar nerve, sensory response, ring finger, electrophysiologic grade

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-171068

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 759-766, 2018

Authors: Moalej, Sepehr | Asadabadi, Mahsa | Hashemi, Rezvan | Khedmat, Leila | Tavacolizadeh, Reza | Vahabi, Zahra | Shariatpanahi, Ghazal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Scoliosis is the abnormal sideways curve of the spine. Screening for scoliosis is controversial, and there has been significant heterogeneity between studies. In Iran, there is still no suitable device to screen sideways curves in spine. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the simple scolioscreen software for screening the students of elementary schools for detecting schoolchildren scoliosis. This students has been examined by trained medical student and data entered in scolioscreen application of an iPhone. METHODS: One hundred forty-four 7–12 years old students from primary schools in the 17th district of Tehran were randomly invited …to participate. Initial screening of the students was done in schools by health care provider or medical student who has been trained by a pediatrician to undergo a vertebral examination. Scoliometer for iPhone’s smartphone has been used for measuring the angle of deviation. RESULTS: 1.4% of students had overt scoliosis and 10.4% were suspected to have a kind of mild abnormality in spine curve. These individuals were referred to clinic for radiologic evaluation and it was confirmed that relative frequency of this abnormality was defined as 4.86% in our population study. There was no significant correlation between sex and degree of spinal curve. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the high rate of scoliosis in our population and approval of this screening test in different studies, routine use of this screening method is highly recommended in schoolchildren. It is cost beneficial and can be effective in prevention and early treatment of scoliosis. Show more

Keywords: Scoliosis, iPhone, scolioscreen, children, school

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-171078

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 767-774, 2018

Authors: Chatterjee, Arijit | Sahu, Subhashis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A huge number of labourers work in the construction industry in India both in organized and unorganized sectors. The construction labourers most often work for an extended period of time and they are compelled to uphold altered static and dynamic operational stance in awkward positions during the complete period of work which raises the demand on the musculoskeletal system and may lead to work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). OBJECTIVE: This study is intended to explore the operational stance and occupation related musculoskeletal manifestations amongst the construction labourers. One hundred sixty four male labourers from …different construction sites in West Bengal were randomly taken for this study. METHODS: A modified Nordic questionnaire on MSD and the 12 item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) were administered on the construction labourers. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Ovako Work Analysis System (OWAS) methods were applied to analyze the operational stance. Finally, discomfort levels of the specific operational stance were calculated by the use of risk level and BPD scale. RESULTS: The study revealed that most of the construction labourers habitually worked in awkward operational stance and were affected by altering musculoskeletal manifestations like pain in low back, neck, and wrist. We also found that there is a significant (p < 0.05) association between the intensity of pain feeling, age, year of working experience and risk level of the individual working postures of the labourers. CONCLUSION: Appropriate work-rest schedule, amendments of some working techniques and use of some ergonomically designed equipment may lessen the WRMSDs and improve the health eminence of construction labourers in unorganized sectors. Show more

Keywords: Construction labourers, operational stance, risk level, WRMSDs

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-170935

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 775-783, 2018

Authors: Vulfsons, S. | Chervonenko, S. | Haddad, M. | Weisman, M.H. | Lavi, N. | Dar, G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The concept of myofascial continuity suggests that muscles activate along kinematic chains with common fascial coverings. Yet, the literature lacks evidence in regards to the function of anatomical chains in populations suffering from low back pain (LBP). OBJECTIVE: To examine muscle activations along the superficial back line in LBP patients compared to healthy controls. METHODS: The sample study included 20 males with chronic LBP (mean age 28.7 (± 3.05) years, mean BMI 24.91 (± 2.76)) and 17 healthy controls (mean age 31.06 (± 7.76) years, …mean BMI 23.46 (± 3.43)). Muscle activation (gastrocnemius, hamstrings, erector spine, and upper trapezius) along the superficial back line was measured using surface EMG. All subjects underwent five test conditions: Conditions 1–3 involved passive movement, active movement and active movement against maximum isometric resistance of the right gastrocnemius muscle. Conditions 4 and 5 involved neck extension without and with isometric resistance from the prone position. The main outcome was relative muscle activation amplitude between research and control subjects. RESULTS: Muscle activation along the posterior anatomical chain was observed during distal movement (plantar flexion or neck extension). LBP patients showed significant lower muscle activation in the erector spine of lower back region compared with the control group during active plantar flexion and active neck extension (p < 0.05). Lower muscle activation in other regions (gastrocnemius, hamstrings, erector spine level T6) was observed in the research group (although not significant). CONCLUSION: LBP may cause or result in a lower muscle activation of the posterior kinematic myofascial chain muscles. Show more

Keywords: Myofascial continuity, anatomical chain, muscle activation

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-160627

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 785-793, 2018