The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Jan 2003
ReviewSystematic review of the quality of randomized controlled trials for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Systematic review of the literature. ⋯ Based on the results of trials exhibiting a sufficient level of quality, treatments that were effective in decreasing pain and improving function in patients with PFPS were acupuncture, quadriceps strengthening, the use of a resistive brace, and the combination of exercises with patellar taping and biofeedback. The use of soft foot orthotics in patients with excessive foot pronation appeared useful in decreasing pain. In addition, at a short-term follow-up, patients who received exercise programs were discharged earlier from physical therapy. Unfortunately, most RCTs reviewed contained qualitative flaws that bring the validity of the results into question, thus diminishing the ability to generalize the results to clinical practice. These flaws were primarily in the areas of randomization procedures, duration of follow-up, control of cointerventions, assurance of blinding, accountability and proper analysis of dropouts, number of subjects, and the relevance of outcomes. Also, given the limited number of high-quality clinical trials, recommendations about supporting or refuting specific treatment approaches may be premature and can only be made with caution.
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Nov 2002
Neuromuscular function in athletes following recovery from a recent acute low back injury.
Observational case control design. ⋯ These objective measures of neuromuscular function indicated an altered muscle response pattern to sudden trunk loading in athletes following their clinical recovery from a recent acute LBI.
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Jul 2002
Thoracolumbar proprioception in individuals with and without low back pain: intratester reliability, clinical applicability, and validity.
Repeated measures design of active spinal position sense in individuals with and without low back pain (LBP). ⋯ Proprioception testing, with the methods employed, did not demonstrate good measurement properties in a sample of patients with recurrent LBP. Neither could it sufficiently discriminate between individuals with and without LBP. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Jan 2002
The effects of patellar taping on knee kinetics, kinematics, and vastus lateralis muscle activity during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain.
Pre- and postintervention repeated measures design. ⋯ Although patellar taping resulted in decreased pain and increased knee extensor moments, knee flexion angles, and cadence during stair ambulation, the vastus lateralis EMG activity level did not change with taping. Based on data from the vastus lateralis, care must be taken if improved gait parameters indicate change in muscle recruitment.
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Jun 2001
ReviewStructure and function of the lumbar intervertebral disk in health, aging, and pathologic conditions.
This report is a comprehensive review of the basic and clinical science relating to the morphology and function of the intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. The purpose is to review the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of the intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine in health, with aging, and in pathologic conditions. ⋯ These structural and biomechanical changes are related to degenerative changes that occur in association with aging and trauma. Knowledge of the gross morphology and ultrastructure of the intervertebral disc and pathobiologic processes underlying associated conditions is essential to orthopaedic practice.