Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation - Volume 36, issue 1

Authors: Uysal, Bilal | Özkuk, Kağan | Şahin, Nilay | Ökmen, Burcu M. | Sezer, Refia | Ateş, Zeynep

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common musculoskeletal disease characterized with shoulder pain, limitation of range of motion (ROM) and disability. Although physical therapy is used in the treatment of AC, studies on its effectiveness are continuing. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound (US) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in the treatment of AC. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into two groups. Group I received US (15 sessions) and Group II received HILT (9 sessions) for 3 weeks. In addition, all patients received physical therapy program (hot pack, TENS …and exercises). Assessments were made using VAS-pain, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), range of motion (ROM) at baseline and in post-treatment 3 rd , 8 th and 24 th weeks. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of all pre-treatment values. In intragroup assessment, statistically significant difference was identified in all the values of Groups 1 and 2 in all assessment periods compared with the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in all assessment periods. CONCLUSION: According to results, US therapy and HILT were effective on the improvement of pain, ROM and functional conditions of patients in the treatment of AC. Show more

Keywords: Adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder, ultrasound therapy, high-intensity laser therapy, physical therapy modalities

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220026

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 227-236, 2023

Authors: Huang, Zheng | Guo, Ji | Zhang, Jianpo | We, Licheng | Wang, Jiqing | Jia, Yongwei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Andersson lesion (AL) is a rare complication of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Its clinical outcome of surgical treatment needs further exploration. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of transforaminal thoracolumbar intervertebral fusion (TTIF) in the treatment of AS patients with thoracolumbar AL. METHODS: Fourteen patients with thoracolumbar AL who suffered from back pain, spinal instability or kyphotic deformity were retrospectively recruited. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Radiological outcomes were measured with local kyphotic (LK) angle and general kyphotic (GK) angle. …RESULTS: Before surgical treatment for the AL patients, their VAS score and ODI score was 8.0 ± 0.2 and 64.0 ± 6.9, respectively. After TTIF surgery, VAS score of the patients was improved to 2.4 ± 0.5 (p < 0.01) and ODI score was decreased to 17.0 ± 3.7 (p < 0.01). One patient with neurological deficit showed an improvement in the Frankel grade from C to D and all others were grated E-level before and after surgery. For radiological outcomes, patients’ LK angle was reduced from 18.5 ± 7.2 to 11.0 ± 6.4 (p < 0.01) and GK angle was reduced to 38.6 ± 8.8 from 42.8 ± 10.4 (p < 0.01) at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: For AS patients with thoracolumbar AL, we propose that TTIF is an effective and safe operative treatment, which can achieve good fusion, satisfactory radiological and clinical outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Vertebral fusion, andersson lesion, ankylosing spondylitis, kyphosis

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220053

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 237-244, 2023

Authors: Lim, Wootaek

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A significant increase in the dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) after calf muscle stretching has been widely studied. However, it has been shown that the upper body is connected to the ankle joint by passive connective tissues. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper-back stretching on the mobility of the contralateral ankle. METHODS: In the supine position, DFROM in the contralateral leg was measured. In the sitting position with and without trunk rotation, DFROM was measured in both legs. In the sitting position with trunk rotation, …dorsiflexion was measured only in the contralateral leg. Static diagonal stretching combining trunk rotation with slight trunk flexion was performed in the sitting position with a neutral pelvis. RESULTS: After stretching, DFROM in contralateral and ipsilateral legs were measured in the sitting position with a neutral pelvis. In the contralateral leg, significant differences in Δ DFROM were observed between the sitting position with trunk rotation and the supine position and between the sitting position with trunk rotation and the sitting position after stretching. CONCLUSION: In clinical settings, diagonal stretching of the unilateral posterior trunk causes a significant increase in the DFROM of the contralateral lower limb. Show more

Keywords: Lumbar fascia, posterior oblique sling, range of motion, static stretching

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220073

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 245-252, 2023

Authors: Hamada, Kazuaki | Maeda, Shintaro | Hamada, Chiho | Watanabe, Hodaka | Oki, Masahiro | Tanaka, Ryo | Hashimoto, Kazunori

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pain is a complex experience with both sensory and affective dimensions, and the affective dimension can increase the risks of chronic pain development. It is thus critical to identify factors influencing the affective dimension of pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the relationship between the affective dimension of pain and disorder site (primary pain source). METHODS: Study participants were recruited from patients referred for physical therapy at an orthopedic outpatient clinic. Pain quality including the affective dimension, disorder site from descriptive medical diagnosis, pain intensity, duration from pain onset, and demographic …data, was collected. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the relationship between the affective dimension of pain and the disorder site. RESULTS: A total of 282 participants were included. Cervical and lumbar spine disorders were significantly associated with an affective dimension of pain compared to limbs disorders when adjusted for age, sex, pain intensity, and duration from the onset in the regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of duration from the onset and other confounding factors, disorder site is correlated with the affective dimension of pain. Multidimensional pain assessment is crucial when clinicians evaluate patients with cervical and lumbar spine disorders, even in the acute phase. Show more

Keywords: Pain, affective symptoms, physiotherapy, healthcare

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220094

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 253-259, 2023

Authors: Seijas-Otero, Daniel | Alonso-Calvete, Alejandra | Cuña-Carrera, Iria Da | Justo-Cousiño, Lorenzo A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PPS) is defined as a condition in the patellofemoral joint that can present with pain, functional deficit, crepitus, and instability. Its etiology appears to lie in excessive loading of the patellofemoral joint due to mispositioning of the patella. The application of taping has recently increased, to manage PPS. However, the level of scientific evidence in this sense is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different types of taping in subjects with PPS. METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out in January and February 2021 in Scopus, Web of …Science, PubMed, Medline, SPORTDiscus, PEDro and CINAHL. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included for qualitative analysis. The mean score on the PEDro scale was 5.30 points. Most of the articles reflect a decrease in pain after the taping intervention, while variables such as functionality, muscle activity and biomechanical modification do not show positive effects. CONCLUSION: Taping appears to have positive effects on pain in subjects with PPS. However, the evidence is contradictory with the rest of the variables studied. Show more

Keywords: Knee, taping, kinesiotaping, bandaging, anterior knee pain

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220099

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 261-269, 2023

Authors: Park, Donghwi | Kwak, Sang Gyu | Chang, Min Cheol

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Whiplash injury-related neck pain frequently hinders daily life activities, resulting in poor quality of life. Recovery time is prolonged in many patients. Long-term outcomes of refractory whiplash injury-related neck pain remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of chronic whiplash injury-related neck pain. METHODS: We evaluated the prognosis of 38 patients with whiplash injury-induced neck pain via phone interviews. We investigated the data on current presence and degree of neck pain, current pain medication, physical modality or injection procedures, and difficulty performing daily life activities or occupational …duties. RESULTS: At least 5 years after the whiplash injury, 34 patients (89.5%) experienced whiplash injury-related neck pain. The average numeric rating scale (NRS) score on the initial visit to our spine center was 5.3 ± 1.7 and that at the follow-up interview was 4.3 ± 2.6. Twenty-six (68.4%) patients had pain scores ⩾ 3 on the NRS. Additionally, 26 (68.4%) patients were receiving at least one of the following pain-management treatments: oral pain medications, physical modality, and injection procedures. Twenty-eight (73.7%) patients encountered difficulty performing daily life activities and occupational duties. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term prognosis of patients with whiplash injury-related neck pain was found to be poor. Show more

Keywords: Whiplash injuries, neck pain, cervical vertebrae, chronic pain, prognosis

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-220002

Citation: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 271-275, 2023