European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Jun 2014
Stroke rehabilitation: availability of a family member as caregiver and discharge destination.
In today's health care environment where resources are scarce discharge planning is an important component of resource allocation. Knowledge of the factors that influence discharge disposition is fundamental to such planning. Further, return to home is an important outcome metric related to the effectiveness of a stroke rehabilitation program. ⋯ If current discharge planning relies on the availability of a caregiver at home after discharge from in-patient stroke rehabilitation then it may be worthwhile to include these caregivers in the inpatient rehabilitation process, to prepare them for their loved one's return home. Additionally, once the patient is discharged home more resources should be made available to support caregivers in the community. This may include more home healthcare personnel training and availability along with respite care.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Apr 2014
Predictors of response to exercise therapy for chronic low back pain: result of a prospective study with one year follow-up.
Low back pain (LBP) management is a critical public health issue in all developed countries. Most approaches show evidence of effects only in the short term. ⋯ Adherence to an extensive individually designed exercise therapy program improves long term functional outcome of chronic low back pain.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Apr 2014
Case ReportsUltrasound guided block of the saphenous neuroma following use of an AFO in a patient with paraplegia. A case report.
The saphenous nerve is the terminal branch of the femoral nerve and a pure sensory nerve that provide sensation to medial leg. Injury to saphanous nerve following trauma or surgery of the knee can result in formation of a painful neuroma along its distribution. We present a case of saphenous neuroma following use of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) in a patient with paraplegia. ⋯ The patient reported pain relief following injection. The use of the AFO may cause a painful saphenous neuroma which is an unusual cause of extremity pain in patients with paraplegia. Ultrasound may be a beneficial diagnostic tool and a guidance for the therapeutic interventions in this condition.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Feb 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyCryoultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with heel spurs. A randomized controlled clinical study.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of pain in the inferior heel and is very frequent in some running sports. It affects up to 10% of general population and accounts for 11% to 15% of all foot pain symptomatology. Several treatments have been suggested, but there is no evidence supporting a specific conservative management strategy. ⋯ Cryoultrasound therapy promises an effective and long-lasting clinical improvement in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, granted its high therapeutic efficiency, patients' satisfaction, its limited cost and its short and repeatable protocol of use.
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Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · Feb 2014
Controlled Clinical Trial Observational StudyDaily pilates exercise or inactivity for patients with low back pain: a clinical prospective observational study.
Studies have shown the effectiveness of a few weekly pilates sessions as helping to reduce lower back pain (LBP). However many patients fear that physical activity can actually make the pain and disability worse. ⋯ Some authors underlined the possible risk of a lack of adherence to an exercise program at home. This study suggests that a daily pilates program is effective for the management of CLBP. On the other hand, the inactivity contributes to further worsening, inducing a vicious cycle in which pain and physical activity intolerance follow each other.