PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
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Electrodiagnostic (EDX) evaluation, and, more specifically, electromyography (EMG), has a well-established role in the diagnostic confirmation of cervical and lumbar radiculopathy. The role of EMG in prognostication, however, is less established and remains a topic of debate. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the diagnostic and prognosticating role of EMG in cervical and lumbar radiculopathies, and to assess the utility of EMG in predicting outcomes after epidural steroid injections (ESI). ⋯ Although limited research regarding outcome prediction after cervical ESI in cervical radiculopathies has been performed, no study has specifically evaluated the utility of EMG in predicting outcomes for cervical ESI, and this topic requires further investigation. An EDX evaluation can provide clinicians with accurate and reliable diagnostic information (level I or level II evidence) in the evaluation of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathies, and can provide more valid prognostic information (level I evidence) regarding potential benefits of lumbar ESI. An EDX evaluation, therefore, can enhance a clinician's ability to advise patients on the most appropriate and efficacious evaluation and management plan for the treatment of painful radiculopathies.
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Persons with back, neck, and limb symptoms are commonly seen by health care providers. They constitute a major referral population to specialists in electrodiagnostic medicine. The evaluation of these patients involves consideration of both the common and less common disorders. ⋯ Electromyography in combination with nerve conduction testing is valuable in excluding entrapment neuropathies and polyneuropathy, conditions that frequently mimic radicular symptoms. A streamlined examination with 6 muscles, 1 of which is the paraspinal, has a high diagnostic yield, yet minimizes patient discomfort and examiner time. This article presents an overview of the electrodiagnostic evaluation for patients with suspected radiculopathy.
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To determine the patient-, treatment-, and facility-level factors that are associated with home discharge among male veterans with lower extremity amputation who received inpatient rehabilitation after surgery. ⋯ This study showed a strong association between the sociological factors of marital status and living location before hospitalization and home discharge. The significance of discharge functional status highlights the importance of addressing the expected care burden once patients are discharged home.
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De Quervain tenosynovitis is a disorder of the tendons of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist that causes pain and functional disability, which may be refractory to conservative treatments. We present a case of ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy and platelet-rich plasma injection for the successful treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis.