Articles: low-back-pain.
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Multicenter Study
Lumbar zygapophysial (facet) joint radiofrequency denervation success as a function of pain relief during diagnostic medial branch blocks: a multicenter analysis.
The publication of several recent studies showing minimal benefit for radiofrequency (RF) lumbar zygapophysial (l-z) joint denervation have led many investigators to reevaluate selection criteria. One controversial explanation for these findings is that the most commonly used cutoff value for selecting patients for l-z (facet) joint RF denervation, greater than 50% pain relief after diagnostic blocks, is too low and hence responsible for the high failure rate. ⋯ Using more stringent pain relief criteria when selecting patients for l-z joint RF denervation is unlikely to improve success rates, and may lead to misdiagnosis and withholding a potentially valuable treatment from good candidates.
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Bed rest has been shown to be an ineffective treatment for non-specific low back pain (LBP). Despite this, during a new episode of pain some patients still rely on bed rest. Which patients choose bed rest is however unknown. ⋯ Patients with prolonged bed rest in an early phase of pain were still more disabled after one year (p<0.01). Based on these results we conclude that prolonged bed rest in the early phase of pain is associated with a higher long term disability level. In preventing low back disability, GP screening for catastrophizing and fear of injury in LBP patients who had prolonged bed rest merits consideration.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol · May 2008
ReviewThe modic vertebral endplate and marrow changes: pathologic significance and relation to low back pain and segmental instability of the lumbar spine.
Two decades following their description, the significance of Modic vertebral endplate and marrow changes remains a matter of debate. These changes are closely related to the normal degenerative process affecting the lumbar spine, and their prevalence increases with age. However, the exact pathogenesis underlying these changes and their relation to segmental instability of the lumbar spine and to low back pain remain unclear. In this paper, we review the literature relevant to this topic and discuss the currently available evidence regarding the pathologic and clinical significance of Modic changes.
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Review
The myth of lumbar instability: the importance of abnormal loading as a cause of low back pain.
Spinal fusion became what has been termed the "gold standard" for the treatment of mechanical low back pain, yet there was no scientific basis for this. Operations of fusion for low back pain were initially done at the beginning of the last century for back pain thought to be related to congenital abnormalities or for past spinal infection. The recognition of the disc as a cause of sciatica, commonly associated with back pain, and the recognition that a degenerate disc led to abnormal movement suggested the concept that this abnormal movement was the cause of pain, and this abnormal movement came to be called "instability". ⋯ The failure of pedicle screws and cage fusion to improve the clinical results of fusion despite near 100% fusion success, and the introduction of "flexible stabilization" and artificial discs, which demonstrated that despite the often unpredictable movement permitted by of these devices, clinical success was similar to fusion, directed attention to the other role of the disc, that of load transfer, which these devices also affected. Abnormal load transfer was already known to be critical in other joints in the body and had led to the use of osteotomy to realign joints. The relevance of load transfer to the future design of spinal implants used in the treatment of low back pain is discussed, and some finite element studies are reported demonstrating the likely effect of abnormal loading beneath an incompletely incorporated plate of an artificial disc, perhaps explaining in part the somewhat disappointing clinical results to date of the implantation of artificial discs.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Efficacy of thiocolchicoside in Indian patients suffering from low back pain associated with muscle spasm.
Low back pain (LBP), a high prevalent condition among middle aged population, is usually associated with 'muscle spasm' that is responsible for giving rise to pain as well as its persistence. Muscle spasm is an involuntary, painful contraction of muscles that interferes with the function and cause of muscular disorder. Therefore centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxants, also called lissive drugs, are commonly used for its treatment. ⋯ Patients were followed up on 3rd and 7th day and severity score of various parameters was recorded. There was significant difference among the treatment groups in favour of TC than TZ in efficacy parameters thus showing TC is at slightly better effective than TZ and in case of safety, TC scores significantly better over TZ in the patients with accompanying muscle spasm. These findings confirm that TC is a preferred option for the LBP with muscle spasms.