Articles: low-back-pain.
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Epidemiological studies have provided information on the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in white collar workers in industrialized countries. Little information has related individual, work ergonomic, and psychosocial factors to the incidence of LBP in low income countries. ⋯ High proportions of Greek office workers suffer from LBP which might affect the Greek economy. The incidence of LBP status is significantly associated with some anthropometric, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors.
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The piriformis muscle syndrome has been described in the literature since 1947 and accounts for 6-8% of patients presenting with buttock pain, which may variably be associated with sciatica. Through the years, there have been attempts to find safe and effective ways of managing this condition, whether through conservative treatment or with the use of interventional procedures. ⋯ This is the first report on the combined use of ultrasonography and motor stimulation in performing piriformis muscle injection. Our technique offers advantages such as: markedly decreased radiation exposure for both patient and doctor; improved visualization of sciatic nerve and surrounding muscles; improved portability; the possibility of being performed as an office-based procedure; and allows for an accurate confirmation of pain in the piriformis muscle with stimulation.
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Successful management of workers on sick leave due to low back pain by the general physician and physiotherapist depends on reliable prognostic information on the course of low back pain and work resumption. ⋯ Knowledge of the predictive value of these indicators by physicians and physiotherapists will help to identify subgroups of patients and will thus enhance clinical decision-making.
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The lumbar vertebral endplate is considered a potential cause of specific low back pain. However, in relation to future research, there is need for a reliable and detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol to be used in the evaluation of vertebral endplate signal changes. ⋯ In this study, we found convincing reproducibility of a detailed evaluation protocol of vertebral endplate signal changes, the "Nordic Modic Classification." The authors recommend that the evaluation protocol should be used in future studies investigating vertebral endplate signal changes.
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Lumbar and hip movements, before and in response to rapid bilateral arm flexion, were evaluated in 10 people with recurrent low back pain (LBP) and 10 matched control subjects when standing on a flat surface or short base. ⋯ These data suggest that spinal movement is different in people with LBP, and reduced spinal movement in advance of predictable perturbation may be associated with compromised quality of trunk control.