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
-
Multivariate analysis of T2-weighted signal, diffusion ADC, and DKI parameters and tractography were used to differentiate chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) patients and asymptomatic controls (AC). ⋯ DKI is a good noninvasive method, and it might help to differentiate CLBP from AC. Particularly, the continuation of DKI tractography reflects the presence of annulus fibrosus fissures, an important character in the generation of the low back pain. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
-
Non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) patients present with reduced back extensor muscle endurance which could be explained by the higher fatigability of their lumbar muscles. However, studies investigating lumbar muscle fatigability have shown contradictory findings. Furthermore, none investigated potential asymmetry in lumbar muscle fatigability, despite neuromuscular asymmetry being reported as a risk factor for NSCLBP. The present study's primary purpose was to determine whether NSCLBP patients presented with higher lumbar muscle fatigability and fatigability asymmetry than asymptomatic participants. ⋯ The present study showed that NSCLBP patients did not present higher fatigability or higher fatigability asymmetry in lumbar muscles than asymptomatic participants. The heterogeneity of the NSCLBP population, due to the absence of any specific etiology, may explain these findings. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
-
There are little published data on the natural history and evolution of thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in achondroplasia. Furthermore, there are few published reports indicating the probability of symptoms and at what kyphotic angle progressive deformity might occur. ⋯ This report describes three illustrative cases of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) that occurred in achondroplastic infants. The long-term outcomes are presented to illustrate the diverse clinical behaviour of TLK in this patient group.
-
Back pains are the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders among dentists, exposed to many work-related risk factors. We aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of back pains as well as the impact of some work behaviors among a large sample of dentists. ⋯ Prevalence and intensity of back pain are important among dentists and increase greatly over working life. Preventive methods such as ergonomics exist and awareness should be raised among dentists and dental student. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
-
To evaluate the accessibility of the preganglionic epidural space in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy treated with epidural steroid injection (ESI) through trans-lateral recess (TLR) approach. ⋯ When delivered using the TLR approach, epidural injections result in excellent drug spread within the preganglionic area (i.e., ventral epidural contrast filling and periradicular infiltration of exiting and transversing nerve roots). As noted previously that higher rates of pre-ganglionic epidural infiltration might be led to improvements in clinical pain and disability, epidural injections delivered using the TLR approach are expected to complement existing epidural modalities. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.