European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
-
The first aim of this study was to translate the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD) from English into Dutch producing the NPAD-Dutch Language Version (DLV). The second aim was to analyze test-retest reliability and agreement of the NPAD-DLV and the Neck Disability Index (NDI)-DLV. The NPAD was translated according to established guidelines. ⋯ The limits of agreement of the NPAD-DLV and the NDI-DLV were, respectively, ±20.9 (scale 0-100) and ±6.5 (scale 0-50). The reliability of the NPAD-DLV and the NDI-DLV was acceptable for patients with CNP. The variation ('instability') in the NPAD-DLV total scores was relatively large and larger than the variation of the NDI-DLV.
-
Posterior spinal ligament pathology is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant cause of low back pain. Despite the growing clinical importance of interspinous ligament degeneration in low back pain patients, formal reliability studies for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of interspinous ligaments have not been performed. We proposed an MRI classification system for interspinous ligament degeneration and conducted a comprehensive reliability and reproducibility assessment. ⋯ A difference of 1, 2, and 3 grades occurred in 8.1, 3.0, and 1.1% of readings, respectively. This proposed MRI classification of interspinous ligament degeneration was simple, reliable, and reproducible. Its use as a standardized nomenclature in clinical and radiographic research may be recommended.
-
The Matthiass posture test is a clinical test to detect posture changes in children and adolescents. Aim of this study was to objectify this test using a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring device. We examined 31 healthy athletes during a modified Matthiass test with a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring system. ⋯ Additional weight loads of only 5% body weight (bw) resulted in significant changes of the posture (lordosis and kyphosis angle) during this test. With this rasterstereographic measuring device it seems to be possible to determine spinal posture changes under dynamic conditions. The results suggest that additional weights of 5% bw during the Matthias-test are enough to create significant deviations in posture parameters, even in healthy subjects.
-
Nationally 62% of individuals in Ireland have internet access. Previous published work has suggested that internet use is higher among those with low back pain. We aimed to determine the levels of internet access and use amongst an elective spinal outpatient population and determine what characteristics influence these. ⋯ In our practice, internet access is consistent with national statistics and use is comparable to previous reports. Approximately, one quarter of outpatients will use the internet to research their spinal condition. Should we use this medium to disseminate information we need to be aware some groups may not have access.
-
Pathomechanisms of injured-nerve pain have not been fully elucidated. Radicular pain and chronic constriction injury models have been established; however, producing these models is complicated. A sciatic nerve-pinch injury is easy to produce but the reliability of this model for evaluating pain behavior has not been examined. ⋯ Our results indicate that a simple sciatic nerve pinch produced pain-related behavior. Upregulation of the pain-marker expression in the nerve-injury model suggested it could be used as a model of pain. However, it was not considered as suitable for long-term studies.