European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Multicenter Study
The prevalence and severity of low back pain and associated symptoms in 3,009 old men.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and severity of low back pain (LBP) and the influence of sciatica and neurological deficits in old men. ⋯ The 1-year prevalence of LBP in community living men aged 69-81 years was close to 50% but for individuals with LBP or LBP + SCI the morbidity was low with more than two-thirds having no limitations in ADL. In men with LBP + SCI + NEU more than one-third rated the pain as severe and close to half had limitations in ADL.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
No kidding: low back pain and type of container influence adolescents' perception of load heaviness.
The relationship between low back pain (LBP) and the lifting/carrying of loads is still a matter of great discussion. In teenagers, the weight of the school bag has been considered to play a pathogenic role in LBP but the relationship between the actual weight of the school bag and LBP symptoms does not seem to be a straightforward one. Numerous factors have been identified that influence the perception of weight. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of low back pain and the type of container on the perception of load heaviness by healthy teenagers. ⋯ Our results suggest that several subjective variables significantly influence the perception of load heaviness. Until we have a better understanding of the mechanical role of the backpack weight versus the perception of its weight in the aetiology of LBP, any recommendations about the schoolbag weight limit should be viewed with caution.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The role of needle tip position on the accuracy of diagnostic selective nerve root blocks in spinal deformity.
The specificity of a selective nerve root block (SNRB) is dependant on isolating only the required nerve root whilst avoiding injectate flow to traversing nerves. Needle tip position is therefore crucial. Nerve root blocks (SNRBs) in the presence of deformity can be particularly technically challenging to perform. The aims of this study were to document the relationship of needle tip position and SNRB accuracy in patients with and without spinal deformity. ⋯ Selective nerve root blocks are accurate in patients without deformity where a needle tip placement lateral to the middle third of the pedicle is achieved. The presence of spinal deformity significantly reduces the accuracy of SNRBs with a higher chance of epidural infiltration.
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Evaluation of the psychometric properties of a cross-culturally adapted questionnaire, the Core Outcome Measurement Index for neck pain (COMI-neck). ⋯ This study provides evidence that the Italian version of the COMI-neck is a valid and responsive questionnaire in the population of patients examined. Its use is recommended for clinical and research purposes.
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Comparative Study
Platelet-rich plasma induces annulus fibrosus cell proliferation and matrix production.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors and creates a 3D structure upon clotting; PRP or platelet lysate (PL) might be considered for annulus fibrosus (AF) repair. ⋯ Platelet-rich preparations increased the matrix production and cell number and may therefore be considered to promote AF repair.