American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Jul 2010
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyIsometric quadriceps strength in women with mild, moderate, and severe knee osteoarthritis.
Quadriceps weakness is a common clinical sign in persons with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis and results in physical disability; however, minimal data exist to establish whether quadriceps weakness is present in early stages of the disease. Therefore, our purpose was to determine whether quadriceps weakness was present in persons with early radiographic and cartilaginous evidence of osteoarthritis. Further, we sought to determine whether quadriceps strength decreases as osteoarthritis severity increases. ⋯ Women with early evidence of osteoarthritis had less quadriceps strength than women without osteoarthritis as defined by imaging.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Jul 2010
ReviewComplications of cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections.
Although cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections are used in the treatment of radicular pain, there are a number of major and minor complications reported in the medical literature. These complications are limited to retrospective studies, retrospective survey studies, case reports, and data obtained from studies evaluating the benefit of cervical transforaminal steroid injections. ⋯ We aim to review and critically evaluate literature focusing on the incidence and clinical presentations of major complications associated with cervical transforaminal steroid injections. The goal of this review is to identify pertinent journal information that aids in the improvement in clinical care and guides future research by increasing the awareness of the potential major complications associated with this procedure and their presentations.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyInterrater reliability of needle electromyographic findings in lumbar radiculopathy.
This study was performed to investigate the interrater reliability of needle electromyographic findings and electrodiagnostic impressions among expert electrodiagnosticians. ⋯ Needle electromyographic assessment of lower-limb and lumbar paraspinal muscles in the electrodiagnostic evaluation of lumbar radiculopathy is objective and highly reliable when performed by well trained and qualified electromyographers. Masked validation can be performed in electromyographic-based research.