Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 35, issue 4

Authors: de Sire, Alessandro

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-225002

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 687-689, 2022

Authors: Macedo, Luciana Gazzi | Noguchi, Kenneth S. | de Oliveira, Lisandra A. | Bakaa, Nora | Di Pelino, Stephanie | Battié, Michele C.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Low frequency vibrations from motorized vehicles and heavy equipment have been associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Spine degeneration on diagnostic imaging provides direct and objective measures of the possible effects of such exposures on the spine. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the association of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) with spine degeneration on imaging. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science to July 2021. Two reviewers independently screened search results, assessed quality, and extracted data. Studies evaluating the exposure to WBV and …lumbar spine degeneration on imaging were included. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (16 manuscripts) were included. Seven studies including a meta-demonstrated moderate quality evidence of no association between WBV and disc degeneration. There was also moderate quality evidence of no association between WBV and disc height narrowing and osteophytes. Overall, there was low level evidence of no association between WBV and other degenerations findings. CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate to low quality evidence suggesting no association between WBV exposures with spine degeneration on imaging. The results of this study currently do not support assertion that motorized vehicle and WBV exposure accelerates degeneration and causes structural damage to the spine. Show more

Keywords: Whole body vibration, driving, occupational load, spine degeneration, disc degeneration, disc height, imaging, magnetic resonance imaging

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181350

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 691-700, 2022

Authors: Hauser, Ross A. | Matias, Danielle | Woznica, David | Rawlings, Benjamin | Woldin, Barbara A.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a significant spinal disorder that affects much of the population at some point during their lives. OBJECTIVE: While proper diagnosis is key, diagnosing the underlying cause of low back pain may often be unclear. METHOD: In this review article, we discuss lumbar instability as an etiology of low back pain and its treatment by prolotherapy. RESULTS: Spinal ligaments may be an underlying culprit in the development of lumbar instability with resultant low back pain and associated disorders. CONCLUSION: In these cases, adequate …treatment consisting of non-biologic prolotherapy or cellular prolotherapy, including platelet rich plasma (PRP), can be beneficial in restoring spinal stability and resolving chronic low back pain. Show more

Keywords: Lumbar instability, prolotherapy, low back pain, degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint, facet joint, spinal osteoarthritis

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210097

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 701-712, 2022

Authors: Mapinduzi, Jean | Ndacayisaba, Gérard | Mahaudens, Philippe | Hidalgo, Benjamin

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pelvic girdle pain represents a group of musculoskeletal pain disorders associated with the sacroiliac joint and/or the surrounding musculoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Its physical management is still a serious challenge as it has been considered the primary cause of low back pain. OBJECTIVE: This review sought to determine the effectiveness of motor control exercises for two clinically relevant measures; i.e., pain and disability, on patients with pelvic girdle pain of sacroiliac joint origin. METHODS: This review covered only randomized controlled studies. Online databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, were …searched from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2019. PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies, while Review Manager was employed to synthesize data in view of meta-analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were applied for this review. RESULTS: Twelve randomized controlled trials of moderate-to-high quality were included in this review. The studies involved 1407 patients with a mean age ranging from 25.5 to 42.1 years as well as intervention and follow-up durations from 1 week to 2 years. Motor control exercises alone for pelvic girdle pain of sacroiliac joint origin were not effective in terms of pain reduction (SMD = 0.29 [- 0.64,1.22]) compared to control interventions whereas they were slightly effective in terms of disability reduction (SMD = - 0.07 [- 0.67, 0.53]) at short-term. The combination of motor control exercises with other musculoskeletal therapies, however, revealed to be more effective than control interventions in terms of pain reduction (SMD = - 1.78 [- 2.49, - 1.07]; 95%CI) and lessened disability (SMD = - 1.80 [- 3.03, - 0.56]; 95%CI) at short-term. CONCLUSION: Motor control exercises alone were not found to be effective in reducing pain at short-term. However, their combination with other musculoskeletal therapies revealed a significant and clinically-relevant decrease in pain and disability at short-term, especially in peripartum period. Show more

Keywords: Exercise therapy, physical therapy modalities, pelvic pain, pelvic girdle pain, sacroiliac joint, musculoskeletal manipulation, systematic review, meta-analysis

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210108

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 713-728, 2022

Authors: Pieri, Emanuela | Bonetti, Francesca | Pellicciari, Leonardo | Scipioni, Fabio

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Therapeutic exercise (TE) is recommended in multimodal treatment for patients with non-specific chronic back pain (cLBP). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify an exercise or a spectrum of exercises, well described and reproducible by the clinician, for cLBP patients. METHODS: Systematic review by researching in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL, and Scopus. Evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) supported the TE in patients with non-specific cLBP, provided that it was well described and could be repeated by another therapist. Methodological evaluation was performed using the PEDro scale and …only studies with a score of ⩾ 6 were included. The assessment of the intervention description was carried out with the TIDieR checklist. The risk of bias was examined. RESULTS: Twenty-one articles were included in this systematic review. The defective description and the poorly reporting of the intervention makes it more difficult for the clinician to include the TE into clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed that the reporting of the intervention in high quality RCT on chronic low back pain is low, threatening the external validity of the results. Show more

Keywords: Randomized controlled trial, physical therapy modalities, exercise therapy, rehabilitation, low back pain

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210179

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 729-742, 2022

Authors: Kim, Kun Yung | Kim, Gi-Wook

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is accompanied by inflammation and angiogenesis. Modifying angiogenesis through transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) can be a potential treatment for knee OA. OBJECTIVE: We subjected five OA knees in three patients to TAE and report the results of our post-treatment observations. CASE DESCRIPTION: Three patients that had experienced knee pain for a minimum of one year prior to the study, and whose pain had persisted despite conservative treatment, were included in this study. Patients more often chose conservative treatment over surgical treatment. Pain and functional scales were evaluated before, immediately, …and 1 month after TAE using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). TAE was performed by an experienced interventional radiologist. The average values of NRS evaluated before and after 5 TAEs were 5.2 before TAE, 3 immediately after TAE, and 3.6 after 1 month of TAE, and the average values of WOMAC were 52, 38.4, and 36.4, respectively. There were no major adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The examined cases support the conclusion that TAE is an effective treatment for patients with knee OA. Substantial pain relief and WOMAC improvement were observed both immediately and one month after TAE. Show more

Keywords: Knee, osteoarthritis, pain, embolization

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210043

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 743-748, 2022

Authors: Seok, Hoon | Lee, Seung Yeol | Shin, Dong Seong | Kang, Jung Hoon | Im, Soo Bin | Jeong, Je Hoon

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Due to the anatomical characteristics of the anterior epidural space, dorsal migration of material from herniated lumbar disc is quite rare. Also, bilateral foot drop due to unilateral dorsal migration of disc herniation is extremely rare. This report presents a case of sudden bilateral foot drop caused by the unilateral dorsal migration of material from a herniated lumbar disc. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 51-year-old male presented with sudden onset severe leg pain with bilateral foot drop. The patient was referred to our emergency department by a local clinic. Neurological examination showed bilateral ankle and big toe …dorsiflexion weakness grade 1. There was no perianal anesthesia, anal sphincter weaknesses, or voiding difficulty. Apart from essential hypertension, this patient’s medical history was unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that intervertebral disc material in the dorsal extradural space at the L3-4 level had compressed the dural sac from the left side to the center. We performed an emergency operation. The pathologic result revealed fibrous cartilaginous materials. After the operation, the leg pain was markedly resolved. At postoperative three months, the patient showed improvement of foot drop. CONCLUSION: We recommended emergent mass removal, which produced a favorable outcome. Show more

Keywords: Intervertebral disc displacement, lumbar vertebrae, foot drop

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210067

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 749-753, 2022

Authors: Schmalzl, Jonas | Walter, Helen | Rothfischer, Wolfram | Blaich, Sören | Gerhardt, Christian | Lehmann, Lars-Johannes

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adaptations in glenohumeral range of motion may affect overhead athletes and lead to shoulder pathologies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD) and postero-superior impingement among male handball and volleyball players and the relationship between these pathologies and training level (amateur vs. professional), position (attack vs. no attack), experience (> 5 years vs. < 5 years) and sports. METHODS: Sixty-seven handball players and 67 volleyball players with a mean age of 25 [± 5] years were …included. The range of motion including external and internal rotation in 90 ∘ abduction of the dominant and non-dominant shoulder was measured of each examined athlete. Visual analogue scale, disabilities of the shoulder and hand score, constant score and subjective shoulder value were recorded. The athletes were examined for postero-superior impingement and abduction force was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: Internal rotation was significantly lower and external rotation was significantly greater in the dominant arm for both sports. 72% presented with GIRD. GIRD was more prevalent in athletes active for > 5 years (odds ratio (OR) 3), in those training > 3 times per week (OR 1.4) and in handball players (OR 2.7). 24% presented with postero-superior impingement. Players active for > 5 years (OR 1.22), professionals (OR 1.14), volleyball players (OR 1.19), offensive players (OR 2.2) and athletes with GIRD > 10 ∘ (OR 1.5) showed a higher prevalence of postero-superior impingement. CONCLUSION: GIRD is a common phenomenon in handball and volleyball players. Offensive players are frequently suffering from postero-superior impingement. GIRD > 10 ∘ leads in nearly 75% of the athletes to a decrease of total range of motion and a high rate of postero-superior impingement. Thus, a decreased range of motion seems to be the turning point from adaptation to pathology. Therefore, regular controls of range of motion and countermeasures by means of stretching the posterior shoulder joint should be integrated in the training content. Show more

Keywords: GIRD syndrome, internal impingement, handball, volleyball, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, SLAP lesion

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191767

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 755-762, 2022

Authors: Solmaz, Ilker | Orscelik, Aydan | Koroglu, Ozlem

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prolotherapy (PrT) is an increasingly popular regenerative injection treatment for the management of musculoskeletal injuries. The diagnostic injection is a method for selecting suitable patients to apply PrT using subcutaneous 5% dextrose solution. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to assess the PrT usage and modifications in the treatment of chronic low back pain and lumbar disc herniation and to define diagnostic injection procedure for PrT. METHOD: Two thousand three hundred and eighty-two patients with low back pain or lumbar disc herniation were evaluated at the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Center in Ankara, …Turkey. Six hundred fifty-four patients were included in the study. Diagnostic injections were performed on all patients who were thought to be eligible candidates for PrT indications. A 4-or-6 week interval was allowed between treatment sessions. RESULTS: Xix hundred and fifty-four patient treatments were completed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores decreased to 5.1 ± 1.4 while 7.2 ± 1.1 before the diagnostic injection (p < 000.1). The VAS scores decreased from 7.2 ± 1.1 before the treatment to 0.9 ± 0.9 after 52 weeks of the treatment (p < 000.1). Thirty-four patients’ treatments resulted in poor clinical results (5.2%), and 620 of the patients’ pain improved (94.8%). CONCLUSION: PrT can be regarded as a safe way of providing a meaningful improvement in pain and musculoskeletal function compared to the initial status. Diagnostic injection is an easy way to eliminate patients and may become a favorite treatment modality. 5% dextrose is a more simple and painless solution for PrT and also has a high success. Show more

Keywords: Prolotherapy, chronic musculoskeletal pain, injection

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191745

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 763-770, 2022

Authors: Karadağ, Ahmet | Canbaş, Muhammed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Low back pain is an important health problem that may cause functional loss. Several back pain disability scales have been developed in different languages. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the correlation between the Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index (ILBPDI) the Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) and other back pain disability scales in patients with mechanical low back pain. METHODS: Included in the study were 105 patients who presented to our outpatient clinics and who were diagnosed with mechanical low back pain. The ILBPDI, BPFS, Quebec back pain disability scale (QBPDS) and …Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (ODI) were administered to all participants, and Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded. RESULTS: A strongly negative correlation was identified between ILBPDI and BPFS (p < 0.05), and a strongly positive correlation was noted between ILBPDI and QBPDS, ODI and VAS. CONCLUSION: A strong correlation exists between ILBPDI and BPFS, and a further strong correlation between ILBPDI ODI and QBPDS. These questionnaires can be used interchangeably to evaluate disability associated with chronic mechanical low back pain. Show more

Keywords: LBP, disability, ILBPDI, BPFS, Turkey

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191824

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 771-775, 2022