Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialChronic lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: A prospective study of low-energy shockwave therapy and low-energy shockwave therapy plus manual therapy of the cervical spine.
To compare the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) alone with a combination of ESWT and manual therapy of the cervical spine in treating chronic tennis elbow. ⋯ ESWT may be an effective conservative treatment method for unilateral chronic tennis elbow. The efficacy of additional cervical manual therapy for lateral epicondylitis remains questionable.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Case ReportsUsing gabapentin to treat failed back surgery syndrome caused by epidural fibrosis: A report of 2 cases.
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a long-lasting, often disabling, and relatively frequent (5%-10%) complication of lumbosacral spine surgery. Epidural fibrosis is among the most common causes of FBSS, and it is often recalcitrant to treatment. Repeated surgery for fibrosis has only a 30% to 35% success rate, whereas 15% to 20% of patients report worsening of their symptoms. ⋯ In both cases, functional status improved markedly and pain was significantly diminished. Gabapentin has an established, favorable safety profile and has been shown to be effective in various animal models and human studies of chronic neuropathic pain. Clinicians should consider gabapentin as a pharmacologic treatment alternative in the management of FBSS caused by epidural fibrosis.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Comparative StudyElectrodiagnostic changes of the lower limbs in subjects with chronic complete cervical spinal cord injury.
To assess the electrodiagnostic changes in the lower limbs as measured by nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and electromyography in individuals with chronic complete tetraplegia. ⋯ A statistically significant difference in NCS responses in the lower limbs in chronic tetraplegia was found relative to normal control values. However, only the frequency of responses elicited and the decreased CMAP of the peroneal nerve are clinically significant. SA was present in many of the lower extremity muscles in the subjects. Predominantly axonal changes were evident in individuals with chronic complete tetraplegia.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Comparative StudyQuantifying swallowing function after stroke: A functional dysphagia scale based on videofluoroscopic studies.
To develop a sensitive, specific scale for quantifying functional dysphagia in stroke patients, using results obtained from videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. ⋯ This functional dysphagia scale, which was based on a videofluoroscopic swallowing study in stroke patients, is a sensitive and specific method for quantifying the severity of dysphagia.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · May 2001
Comparative StudyPhenol block of peripheral nerve conduction: Titrating for optimum effect.
To verify the dose-response relationship in phenol nerve block and to determine the concentration and volume of phenol injectate required for effective nerve conduction block. ⋯ The nerve block effect of phenol can be titrated by adjusting the concentration and volume of phenol solution if the technique of application and localization of a block site are standardized.