Articles: low-back-pain.
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Four strata of randomly selected health care providers in North Carolina (primary care MDs, Doctors of Chiropractic, orthopedic surgeons, and group model HMO primary care providers) enrolled 1633 consecutive patients with low back pain into a cohort study. ⋯ The relation of patient race to outcomes from and care for low back pain is complex. Blacks have slightly worse functional status than whites on presentation and at follow-up assessment. Blacks receive less intense diagnostic and treatment approaches from MDs, although the severity of their impairment is at least as great.
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A case series of adults with surgical treatment for adult idiopathic thoracolumbar and/or lumbar scoliosis, low back pain, and spinal stenosis was studied. ⋯ Combined symptoms of back pain and spinal stenosis require complex reconstructive surgery in adults with idiopathic thoracolumbar and/or lumbar scoliosis. Significant pain relief, functional restoration, and satisfaction can be achieved and maintained over the long term in the properly selected patient.
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To examine the association between self reported physical workload and low back pain (LBP) in younger twins. To investigate whether genetic factors interact with physical workload in relation to LBP. ⋯ There is evidence for a dose-response relation between physical workload and LBP of longer duration. Attention to clinically relevant subgroups based on duration, for example, is necessary in epidemiological studies dealing with LBP. Physical workload might be more important than genetic factors in LBP.
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Comparative Study
Temporary external pedicular fixation versus definitive bony fusion: a prospective comparative study on pain relief and function.
Temporary external pedicular fixation is used as a prognostic instrument when treating degenerative conditions with spinal fusion. We studied the validity of the method and whether a functional test could improve the prognostic value of such fixation. Twenty-six patients with long-standing lumbar pain had an external temporary fixation. ⋯ We conclude that with a good outcome ratio of 14 patients out of 19 having a solid fusion, the external frame improved patient selection and can be used as a valid prognostic instrument. The pain relief and function after definitive fusion can not be quantified by the external fixation, probably due to the fact that the stabilisation with an external frame is partial. The value of the functional test design presented is moderate, and an outcome evaluation comprising pain relief at rest and mean pain level during a week in fixation seems adequate.
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Clinical rheumatology · Feb 2003
Lack of relationships between cumulative methylprednisolone dose and bone mineral density in healthy men and postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain.
The medical use of glucocorticoids (GCs) is related to low bone mineral density (BMD). In this study we tested the hypothesis that the cumulative dose of GC is not related to BMD outcome. The study was cross-sectional in design and included healthy individuals with chronic low back pain resistant to conventional treatments. ⋯ The administration of a single MP depot injection (160 mg) resembled a systemic low peak dose GC exposure. The administration of multiple MP depots in men and women with chronic low back pain revealed no relationship between cumulative GC dose and BMD. These findings support the hypothesis of a non-existent relationship between cumulative GC dose and BMD outcomes in healthy men and women with a prior GC administration of at least 3 g.