Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 35, issue 1

Authors: Mutlu, Serhat | Mutlu, Harun | Bal, Emre

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common orthopaedic surgical procedures in the advanced stages of knee arthritis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to define the sex differences in the Turkish population’s morphological measurements of the distal femoral and proximal tibial surfaces that form the knee joint and to compare their compatibility with conventional prosthetic implants commonly used in TKA for advanced-stage knee arthritis. METHODS: Anthropometric data for a total of 240 knees from 240 patients were measured using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). All morphological data were …compared with the dimensions of four conventional knee prostheses commonly used in Turkey. RESULTS: A comparison of the four tibial components revealed that the majority of female proximal tibias matched with smaller-sized tibial components, whereas those of males matched the larger sizes. Comparing the morphological data with similar values for the four femoral components currently used in Turkey, we found that all the prostheses had similar values. CONCLUSION: The four conventional prosthetic brands included in this study matched the distal femoral dimensions of both sexes. On the other hand, we need smaller size tibial components for our female population. Show more

Keywords: Knee, gender difference, TKA, tibial plateau anthropometry, distal femur anthropometry, computed tomography

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200318

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 169-175, 2022

Authors: Lu, Yen-Mou | Chen, Chung-Hwan | Lue, Yi-Jing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sex and gender affect responses to pain, but little is known about disability and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of sex and gender on disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with low back pain. METHODS: Ninety-three patients with low back pain were included in this cross-sectional survey study. Disability, HRQOL and gender identity were respectively assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36 and Bem Sex Role Inventory. The participants were classified into four gender role orientations (masculinity, femininity, androgyny and undifferentiated). One-way analysis of variance …was used to analyze both the sex and the gender role orientation. RESULTS: Females had higher disability than males (p < 0.05), but in gender identity, no significant difference was found. Seven domains of HRQOL were lower than the healthy norms. Males experienced greater impacts than females on vitality and mental health (p < 0.05). For gender identity, five domains of HRQOL had significant differences (p < 0.05). Masculinity orientation had the least impact on four domains (p < 0.05), while undifferentiated orientation had the largest impact on all domains. CONCLUSION: Sex and gender effects can be used to analyze disability and HRQOL in patients with low back pain. Females have higher disability, while HRQOL is greatly influenced by different gender role orientations. Show more

Keywords: Disability, quality of life, low back pain, sex, gender

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200319

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 177-184, 2022

Authors: Abdel-aziem, Amr Almaz | Abdel-ghafar, Mohamed Abdel-fattah | Ali, Olfat Ibrahim | Abdelraouf, Osama Ragaa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Electronic media have become integral parts of modern life, in which prolonged screen viewing time (SVT) by children is nearly unavoidable. Prolonged use of smartphones could lead to musculoskeletal problems. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of SVT on head and neck posture during and after using smartphones for various periods of time in either standing or sitting postures. METHODS: This observational study included 34 male children aged 5–12 years who were assigned to one of two groups based on average smartphone use duration per day: group A comprised 18 children averaging > …4 hours per day (h/day) of smartphone use, and group B comprised 16 children with < 4 h/day of smartphone use. The children’s postures were photographed in standing and sitting positions while using a smartphone and 30 min after ceasing smartphone use. The head flexion, neck flexion, gaze, and craniocervical angles were measured using the software program Kinovea. RESULTS: Significant increases were found in head flexion, neck flexion, and gaze angles. Furthermore, both groups saw a significant decrease in craniocervical angle when sitting compared to when standing, both during and 30 min after smartphone use. The head flexion, neck flexion, and gaze angles of group A were significantly higher than those of group B, and the craniocervical angle of group A was significantly lower than that of group B in both postures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SVT is associated with increased neck and head flexion posture in children, especially in a sitting position. Show more

Keywords: Paediatrics, forward head posture, electronic media, ergonomics, screen viewing

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200334

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 185-193, 2022

Authors: McCrory, Bernadette | Ma, Jiahui | Irons, Sonya L. | Burnfield, Judith M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence and exposure risk factors for work-related injuries (WRIs) among rehabilitation PTs and PTAs. METHODS: A cross-sectional research survey was conducted among 170 PTs and 67 PTAs at 51 free-standing rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation units embedded in general hospitals in the Midwestern states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The prevalence of WRIs and significant risk factors for developing WRIs were determined for PTs and PTAs. RESULTS: The …1-year prevalence of WRIs among PTs and PTAs working in physical rehabilitation was 29.5%. Multifaceted causes were identified including frequently bending/twisting, over-exerting force during patient handling activities, inadequate lifting devices, and lack of ongoing training for mechanical lifting device usage. CONCLUSIONS: Equipment usage barriers point to a critical need for technology creation, research, and education to advance worker safety while simultaneously enhancing patient outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Safe patient handling, physical therapy, work-related injuries

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200354

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 195-205, 2022

Authors: Scaturro, Dalila | de Sire, Alessandro | Terrana, Pietro | Curci, Claudio | Vitagliani, Fabio | Falco, Vincenzo | Cuntrera, Daniele | Iolascon, Giovanni | Mauro, Giulia Letizia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) might have a detrimental impact on bone health in breast cancer (BC) women. Denosumab has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures, but the appropriate time for starting is yet to be clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of early treatment with Denosumab (⩽ 12 months after starting AIs) compared to a delayed treatment in BC women. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, we included medical records of BC post-menopausal women, treated with AIs therapy; they were divided as: study group (starting Denosumab ⩽ …12 months after AIs) and control group (> 12 months). At the baseline (T0) and at 18 months (T1), we evaluated the lumbar spine (LS) Tscore and femoral neck (FN) Tscore. Furthermore, at T1 we assessed the incident fragility fractures. RESULTS: Fifty-nine BC survivors (mean age: 61.5 ± 11.5 years) were included: 28 with Early Denosumab and 31 with Late Denosumab. At T1, the study group did not show any incident hip or vertebral fragility fracture, whereas the Late Denosumab group showed 2 incident hip fractures (6.5%) and 4 (12.9%) vertebral fragility fractures. Early Denosumab showed a significant positive effect on both LS (p = 0.044) and FN (p = 0.024) Tscore variations. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings suggest that an early start of Denosumab might be considered for the osteoporosis management in BC women undergoing AIs. Show more

Keywords: Osteoporosis, risk of fractures, breast cancer, denosumab, bone health

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210012

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 207-212, 2022

Authors: Nedić, Dalibor | Pilija, Vladimir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Whiplash injury is one of the most common injuries in traffic accidents. Most of the injured recover within three months, however, a significant number have symptoms much longer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the basic epidemiological characteristics of whiplash (gender, age, collision type, the type of participants in an accident, clinical signs) on Bosnia and Herzegovina roads and identify risk factors for chronic symptoms. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were traffic accident whiplash patients who were diagnosed, treated and monitored in a single hospital center. The …initial examination was performed on the day or the day after the accident and follow-up examinations after four weeks, three months, and six months. RESULTS: Out of the 241 patients in this study, 14.1% had symptoms over six months after the trauma. 54.7% of the injured belong to the third and fourth decade and close to 80% were younger than 50 years. In addition to neck pain, the most common symptoms were limited neck mobility (69.7%), muscle spasms (63.5%), palpable pain of neck muscles (56%), headache (43.6%), nausea (23.7%). Statistical analysis showed a positive impact of age, Quebec Task Force (QTF) grade II, and more injury severity and cervical spine degenerative changes on prolonged recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The overwhelming majority of the injured belong to the working population. QTF2+ score is a useful indicator for prolonged recovery and chronic symptoms. Age, QTF score and degenerative changes of the cervical spine indicate an increased risk for poor recovery and chronic symptoms. Show more

Keywords: Cervical spine, whiplash injury, risk factors, epidemiology, chronicity, recovery time

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210106

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 213-219, 2022