American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Jan 2010
A musculoskeletal ultrasound course for physical medicine and rehabilitation residents.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an imaging modality that can be used to evaluate nerve, tendon, muscle, ligament, and joint disorders and to guide therapeutic procedures. A growing proportion of physiatrists are interested in musculoskeletal ultrasound as demonstrated by the increasing number of musculoskeletal ultrasound articles published in physical medicine and rehabilitation journals and quantity of musculoskeletal ultrasound courses and workshops at physical medicine and rehabilitation conferences. ⋯ In addition, results from a premusculoskeletal ultrasound course and postmusculoskeletal ultrasound course practical and written test are presented, and the results of a postmusculoskeletal ultrasound course resident survey are discussed. This information can be used by other physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs to assist in the creation of their own musculoskeletal ultrasound course.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Dec 2009
Opiates for chronic nonmalignant pain syndromes: can appropriate candidates be identified for outpatient clinic management?
To better define patients appropriate for opiate management for chronic pain syndromes. ⋯ When considering opiates as a treatment option, pain clinics should have a heightened suspicion for younger and unemployed patients. Although these findings should be examined in larger studies, they suggest that nonmedical factors play a substantial role regarding success in such a structured opiate pain program.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2009
Case ReportsCommon peroneal nerve compression by a popliteal venous aneurysm.
A 58-yr-old man with a right foot drop and a sensory change in the right calf and foot, which developed after a bladder operation, was referred to our clinic for an electrodiagnostic evaluation. Neurologic examination showed grade 1 weakness of the right ankle in dorsiflexion, great toe in dorsiflexion, and ankle in eversion. In addition, the patient complained of pain and a tingling sensation in the right calf and foot. ⋯ In addition, duplex ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right popliteal venous aneurysm and impingement of the right common peroneal nerve between the aneurysm and the belly of the biceps femoris muscle. After resection of the aneurysm, his sensory symptoms and motor strength of the right foot and calf gradually improved. This case suggests that compression by the venous system should be considered when there is clinical evidence of focal neuropathy but no abnormal findings at common entrapment sites.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2009
Mirror therapy in the rehabilitation of lower-limb amputation: are there any contraindications?
Mirror box therapy and its development (immersive virtual reality) is used in pain therapy and in rehabilitation of people with amputation affected by phantom limb-related phenomena. It allows patients to view a reflection of their anatomical limb in the visual space occupied by their phantom limb. There are only limited reports of its possible side effects. ⋯ Possible reasons for this large number of side effects could be the lack of selection of patients and the fact that the mirror box therapy was paralleled by a conventional rehabilitation approach targeted to the use of a prosthesis. Warnings on the need to select patients, with regard to their psychologic as well as clinical profile (including time from amputation and clinical setting), and possible conflicting mechanisms between mirror box therapy and conventional therapies are presented.
-
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · Oct 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of local injections in hemiplegic shoulder pain: a prospective, randomized, controlled study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of corticosteroid injections on hemiplegic shoulder pain and range of motion. ⋯ Adding corticosteroid injection to conventional treatment in hemiplegic shoulder pain improved shoulder range of motion and decreased pain scores before treatment to the first and fourth weeks of treatment. Injection in hemiplegic shoulder pain is recommended in appropriate patients.