Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialDisability measurement in persons with back pain: a validity study of spinal range of motion and velocity.
To evaluate the criterion validity and responsiveness to change of spine kinematic variables to assess disability in patients with low back pain. ⋯ Spine kinematics during flexion and extension of the trunk do not appear to be a valid measure of disability in patients with subacute and chronic back pain.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2000
Case ReportsGabapentin for chronic pain in spinal cord injury: a case report.
A 30-year-old white woman with an L1 complete spinal cord injury (SCI) secondary to a gunshot wound in 1985, presented to a chronic pain service for evaluation. She had a 13-year history of chronic lower extremity pain. She described her discomfort as "throbbing, aching, and stabbing." She had tried many different medications, including opioids, Tegretol, and tricyclic antidepressants, without success. ⋯ She was placed on gabapentin 300 mg 3 times daily; within 1 week, her visual analog pain scale fell from 95 mm to 27 mm, and her McGill Short Form pain score fell from 13 to 3. Her mood also vastly improved. This case report suggests that gabapentin should be studied as a therapeutic option for treating central pain post-SCI and should be considered as a viable, well-tolerated, low-toxicity tool.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2000
Clinical TrialProximal and distal motor nerve conduction in obturator and femoral nerves.
To study the proximal and distal motor conduction properties of obturator and femoral nerves. ⋯ Motor conduction properties of the obturator nerve can be assessed by the method described, particularly to differentiate between peripheral, plexus, or radicular lesions that involve the obturator nerve.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 2000
Lumbar segmental rigidity: can its identification with facet injections and stretching exercises be useful?
To describe a method for observing lumbar segmental rigidity and to show how motion measurements and pain/disability questionnaires can be used to evaluate outcomes of combined facet injections and stretching exercises. ⋯ A simple physical examination technique for assessing lumbar spine segmental rigidity was used in this preliminary study to select patients and levels for combined facet injection and stretching exercise, with resultant improvements in mobility and self-reported pain/disability that may extend beyond the pharmacologic duration of the corticosteroid. The efficacy of either the facet injection or stretching components alone in achieving objective mobility improvements cannot be determined from the present study, but warrants future investigation.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 2000
Chronic phantom sensations, phantom pain, residual limb pain, and other regional pain after lower limb amputation.
To determine the characteristics of phantom limb sensation, phantom limb pain, and residual limb pain, and to evaluate pain-related disability associated with phantom limb pain. ⋯ Phantom limb and residual limb pain are common after a lower limb amputation. For most, the pain is episodic and not particularly disabling. However, for a notable subset, the pain may be quite disabling. Pain after amputation should be viewed from a broad perspective that considers other anatomic sites as well as the impact of pain on functioning.