Spine
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This study examined the differences in tactile hypersensitivity across 6 different strains of male mice, and between male and female rats of 3 different strains in a rodent model of low back pain associated with lumbar radiculopathy. ⋯ Different mouse strains, and male and female rats that are exposed to identical nerve root injuries have diverse levels of tactile hypersensitivity, supporting the hypothesis that genetic factors and sex play a key role in radicular pain. Our results correlate with data compiled in identical mouse and rat strains after L5-L6 nerve ligation, suggesting that the precise nature of the injury is not relevant to the inheritance of neuropathic symptom sensitivity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention to prevent the chronic pain of whiplash associated disorders following rear-end motor vehicle collisions.
Concealed allocation, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. ⋯ The presence of persistent WAD symptoms following simple rear-end MVCs was high in this sample. The video group demonstrated a trend toward less severe WAD symptoms. We recommend evaluating other educational interventions that could reduce WAD symptoms.
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Whole cervical spine model with muscle force replication was subjected to simulated frontal impacts of increasing severity, and resulting injuries were evaluated via flexibility testing. ⋯ Middle (C2-C3 to C4-C5) and lower (C6-C7 and C7-T1) cervical spine were at risk for injury during frontal impacts, for the experimental conditions studied.
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Comparative Study
Prognostic factors for low back pain in patients referred for physiotherapy: comparing outcomes and varying modeling techniques.
Data were derived from a randomized controlled trial on the (cost-) effectiveness of the implementation of the clinical guidelines on physiotherapy for low back pain in primary care. ⋯ A substantial proportion of patients still experienced some pain and disability at 12 months follow-up. The most stable predictor of prognosis in low back pain was the duration of the current episode. The choice of statistical method influenced the final model; however, changes in the explained variance were small.
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Immunohistochemical study of elastic fibers in human intervertebral discs (IVD) collected at surgery from patients with scoliosis. ⋯ Our results reveal an abundant and organized network of elastic fibers in the adolescent (12 and 17-year-olds) human IVD, and suggest that elastic fiber network plays a significant biomechanical role. This network is sparse and disrupted in scoliotic discs, and could be involved in the progression of the spinal deformity.