Articles: back-pain.
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The paper reports the results of a population-based pain survey in Lübeck, a city of 210,000 inhabitants in the northern part of Germany. Data were collected from 308 respondents (systematic sample aged 26-75 years) by mailed questionnaires (response rate: 80%). Subjects indicated on a list of 11 pain conditions whether they suffered from these kinds of painever, during the past 6 months, or "today". ⋯ However, 8% of the total sample reported more than 14 pain-related disability days and were classified as being affected by pain to a sociomedically relevant degree. Approximately half of the subjects who reported pain in the past 6 months did not consult a physician. This proportion decreased considerably in subgroups with more than 6 disability days.
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Lumbar spine pain accounts for 5 to 8% of athletic injuries. Although back pain is not the most common injury, it is one of the most challenging for the sports physician to diagnose and treat. Factors predisposing the young athlete to back injury include the growth spurt, abrupt increases in training intensity or frequency, improper technique, unsuitable sports equipment, and leg-length inequality. ⋯ Both exercise motions may often be prescribed. Athletes with an acute disc herniation, however, should only perform extension exercises initially. Athletes with spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis and facet joint irritation should initially be limited to flexion exercises.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Schweiz. Rundsch. Med. Prax. · Nov 1991
Case Reports[Demand-controlled continuous spinal-cerebral morphine administration via an implanted programmable pump].
The significance of the demand-controlled spinal and cerebral administration of morphine has increased with the improvements in the variable techniques (including programmable implanted pumps). Continuous low-dose infusion enables sustained pain-free state with minimal risks and side effects, so that this method is also feasible for treatment of very severe therapy-resistant pain in benign conditions. ⋯ In our view, the assumption that spinal and cerebral application of morphine is not appropriate in deafferentation pain is not justified on the basis of the most recent discussions and our own observations. Merely higher doses are probably required for this type of pain.
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In 1983-84 general practitioners in the Oxford region kept records of their referrals to outpatient clinics over a period of six months. Five years later in 1988-89 the general practice notes of 182 patients referred for back pain were studied to determine the outcomes of their referral. The actions initiated in the outpatient clinics were compared with the general practitioners' main reason for referral recorded at the time of referral. ⋯ The referral system for patients with chronic back pain could be rationalized to reduce the need for re-referrals and multiple follow-up outpatient consultations. There is a need to improve communications between general practitioners, specialists and patients about the purpose of referral, the likely effects of treatment and the scope for prevention. A survey of the outcome of referrals for common conditions, such as back pain, is a useful first step in the development of referral guidelines.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A controlled trial of corticosteroid injections into facet joints for chronic low back pain.
Chronic low back pain is a common problem with many treatments, few of which have been rigorously evaluated. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of injections of corticosteroid into facet joints to treat chronic low back pain. ⋯ We conclude that injecting methylprednisolone acetate into the facet joints is of little value in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.