Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2004
Review Case ReportsFibrocartilaginous embolism--an uncommon cause of spinal cord infarction: a case report and review of the literature.
Fibrocartilaginous embolism is a rare cause of spinal cord infarction. It is postulated that an acute vertical disk herniation of the nucleus pulposus material can lead to spinal cord infarction by a retrograde embolization to the central artery. An increased intradiskal pressure resulting from axial loading of the vertebral column with a concomitant Valsalva maneuver is thought to be the initiating event for the embolus. ⋯ Although no histologic confirmation was obtained, lack of evidence for other plausible diagnoses in the setting of his clinical presentation and in the magnetic resonance imaging findings made fibrocartilaginous embolism myelopathy the most likely diagnosis. We postulated that some cases of transverse myelitis might actually be fibrocartilaginous embolism, making it a more prevalent cause of an acute myelopathy than commonly recognized. Relevant literature and current theories regarding the pathogenesis of fibrocartilaginous embolism myelopathy are reviewed.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTrial of amitriptyline for relief of pain in amputees: results of a randomized controlled study.
To evaluate whether amitriptyline is more effective than placebo in improving phantom limb pain or residual limb pain. ⋯ Our findings do not support the use of amitriptyline in the treatment of postamputation pain.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of electric stimulation on C and A delta fiber-mediated thermal perception thresholds.
To determine if interferential current (IFC) or transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) alters C and A delta fiber-mediated thermal perception thresholds. ⋯ Neither IFC nor TENS altered C and A delta fiber-mediated thermal perception thresholds. The results suggest that any analgesic mechanisms with these modalities are likely to be complex.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2004
Comparative StudyOutcome of surgical release among diabetics with carpal tunnel syndrome.
To compare the results of surgical decompression of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with diabetes with those of patients with idiopathic CTS. ⋯ Diabetes is not a risk factor for poor outcome of surgical decompression of CTS. Patients with diabetes have the same probability of positive surgical outcome as patients with idiopathic CTS.