Articles: low-back-pain.
-
We sought to determine how often Emergency Physicians (EPs) order plain radiographs (XRs) of the lumbosacral spine in evaluating patients with low back pain (LBP). In addition, we sought to determine what history and physical examination findings were statistically associated with the use of an XR. Patients evaluated in our Emergency Department (ED) between April 1, 1995 and September 30, 1995 for LBP were identified retrospectively by their ICD-9 discharge code. ⋯ In this series, only a small minority of patients with LBP had an XR done as part of their ED evaluation. The choice of which patients to image was determined by history and physical examination findings. We conclude that the EPs we studied are evaluating LBP as conservatively, if not more so, than physicians in other specialties.
-
In the literature of manual medicine the sacroiliac joint is widely accepted as a potential source of low back pain. On the other hand, some investigations have detected sacroiliac joint dysfunction without concomitant low back pain. The prevalence of sacroiliac dysfunction in the population has been noted in the medical literature to be between 19.3% and 47.9%. However, the prevalence of sacroiliac dysfunction in the general population and for construction workers is unknown. ⋯ The reason why symptomatic and asymptomatic sacroiliac dysfunctions exist has not yet been sufficiently explained. The identification of pain-provoking factors should be the aim of subsequent investigations. A further study with a prospective design will be necessary to answer the questions that remain.
-
This study examined personality pathology in a group of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) using both diagnostic interviews and dimensional self-report instruments. A group of CLBP patients (N = 125) was assessed before functional restoration treatment and compared with a matched normal comparison group (N = 75). ⋯ Reductions in personality pathology between pre- and posttreatment assessments were more pronounced for diagnostic interview than dimensional self-report assessments. These results are discussed in the context of personality assessment and CLBP.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Temporary external transpedicular fixation of the lumbosacral spine.
In this study, 133 patients with incapacitating low back pain underwent temporary external transpedicular fixation of the lumbosacral spine in a prospective trial. Of these patients, 67% had undergone one or more spinal procedures in the past. On the basis of temporary external transpedicular fixation, 55 of 133 patients were treated conservatively. With an average follow-up period of 37 months, the clinical results were analyzed. ⋯ In selecting suitable candidates for spinal fusion, temporary external transpedicular fixation (including a placebo trial) can be a valuable test.
-
Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Mar 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: nonparallel antinociceptive effects on chronic clinical pain and acute experimental pain.
To investigate to what extent a single 60-minute session of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) would modify chronic clinical pain, acute experimental pain, and the flexion reflex evoked in chronic low back pain patients. ⋯ The same TENS protocol had different degrees of antinociceptive influence on chronic and acute pain in chronic low back pain patients.